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PLAYED ON 



BY 


CLARA E. BALLOU, 

n 

Author of “ EtheUnd,” “ Leaf in the Storm," ** Our Child," Etc. 


‘ ‘ Though men can cover crimes with bold stem looks, 
Poor women’s faces are their own faults’ books.” 


o ) 

A « 
J > ^ 


(Copyright *902, by J, S. Ogilvik Publishing Company.) 


New York : 

J. S. OGILVIE PUBLISHING COMPANY, 
■ 57 Rose Street. 


PZ3 

■Bz/yP 


THriJBRARY OF 
CONGRESS, 

Two COWEB Receiveo 

^U6, 6 1902 

COPVWQItT Eim»Y 
( I 0 1 . 

CLASS XXol No. 

^ n -L ^ 

COPY B. 


Q -2- 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


CHAPTER I. 

there remains a* hopeless castavxiy; 

He, in his speed, looks for the morning light 

It is on the coast of France, in one of the lone- 
liest spots in the world, that our scene lies. Upon 
a great, flat rock, fronting an immensity of sky 
and sea, stood two men, evidently of aristocratic 
birth. Night hung over them — not a gloomy night, 
but one such as poets rave about. Salubrious, 
with a gentle, wooing breeze kissing the waves, that 
were languidly trying to speak to these two mood- 
ily silent men. There were no other souls stirring 
upon the shore, and not a sail was visible upon 
the sea. While they stood there gazing up at the 
boundless sky, and puffing vigorously away at their 
cigarettes, suddenly a look of astonishment and 
disgust, prompted by a flagitious thought, over- 


4 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


spread the face of the fairer and younger man. 
Fiercely seizing his cigarette between his slender, 
white fingers, he tossed it into the water ; no sooner 
had he done this than a great black cloud appeared 
before them, instantly shutting away the light of 
the clear, bright moon. 

They both started now, and turned pale to the 
lips; it was the fairer one whose frame began to 
tremble and shake as if in terror. Casting his 
eyes downward upon the water, he cried, as he 
caught hold of his companion’s shoulder : 

“Look all around you, Faunus, and tell me if you 
can, what mean those tiny bits of brilliant light 
that from out of that black cloud have suddenly 
appeared to me? They are dancing in the sky, and 
upon the water, and among the rocks, and every- 
where. Tell me,” cried he, in excitement^ “what 
they are?” 

Pausing reflectively for a moment, Faunus re- 
sponded that they were nothing but will o’ the 
wisps, adding: 

“Bad omen, this, bad omen.” 

Just as the last tones of his voice died on the 
evening air, the lights vanished, the dark cloud 
rolled away from the moon, and all was clear again. 
Lifting up his head, the young man who had been 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


6 


most affected, heaved a great sigh of relief; yet 
those tiny spirits haunted him. Why, he could 
not tell. He shook his delicate arrowlike frame, as 
though to rid himself of the phantoms and the cold, 
damp sweat that had gathered on his brow, but he 
could not Burying his hands deep down into the 
pockets of his trousers, he turned from Faunus, 
and strode away with the rapid motion his shapely 
limbs allowed. 

“Lucifer, Lucifer, where are you going with that 
contemplative air of an evil deed about you?’’ cried 
Faunus, as he hastened after him in his. mad haste. 

“Where am I going? To the devil, for all I 
know,” savagely muttered Lucifer between his 
teeth, at the same time raising a pair of cruel, 
cold, light blue eyes up to F'aunus’ dark face. After 
a while he lowered them again, and his rather 
large, sensual mouth trembled as he let these words 
fall from his lips : 

“Look here, Faunus, if you and I are to be happy 
I must tell you a bit of truth — sl truth you no 
doubt will, with your high sense of honor, bitterly 
condemn. It will all have more of an infernal 
touch about it, simply because my victim is an ac- 
quaintance of yours. I brought you with me from 
Paris to-night to tell you about it I cannot take 


6 . 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


you up to the old house just yet, somehow, so let 
us stand here and talk for a while. It is a curious 
thing I came across you in Paris to-day, not hav- 
ing seen you before for three years or more.” 

^‘Yes, it is,” said Faunus, ^^but then such strange 
things are happening all the time in this world. 
Let me see. I lost sight of you altogether after 
you left Scotland so mysteriously with that beau- 
tiful orphan girl, Audr^e Lanamoor. Every one 
knew you stole her away from her poor old aunt, 
Lucifer, and you were condemned most sharply by 
every one.” 

“With all, Faunus, you cannot say I am much 
worse than other men. If Audrde Lanamoor chose 
to waste her devotion on me, am I to blame for 
stroking a willing head, and satisfying her? Even 
you, who knew the girl, knew her to hiiTe an im- 
mense power of affection, and that, together with 
her physical beauty, would bind any man to a fault 
for a time. I own, from the very first day, almost, 
that I saw her, I had a lecherous desire to riot on 
her beauty, for it had a peculiar charm for me. It 
made me love her — ^yes, blindly and madly for a 
time. She loved me, too, passionately and well. 
Such love as ours had but one goal. Now I have 
awakened from my intoxication and repented my 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


7 


infatuation, but how to get rid of her and stop all 
communication is a matter not easily arranged.’^ 

^Well, Lucifer,’’ said F^aunus, his lip curling 
scornfully, judge you capable of managing even 
a separation, after going through the process 
such unlawful lovemaking. But tell me where you 
have kept Audrde for the last three years.” 

^^Over there,” replied Lucifer, pointing to an old 
gray stone house, that stood alone upon the shore. 
“Yes — Audrde lives there. And to-night she is 
watching and waiting for a man whose passion for 
her has ceased, and whose only thought is how to 
rid himself of the woman, whom some would say, 
had given her heart’s best love and her very soul to 
a Lucifer indeed. I am tired of her now, though 
tired is hardly the name for it. She has become 
perfectly unbearable to me. Her ceaseless, undy- 
ing affection is something I no longer reciprocate, 
and cannot understand. Thelrefore it acts like 
poison on my system.” 

Faunus’ face grew pale, for he was startled by 
the vehemence and language of his brother. He 
tried to speak to him again, but he could not, for 
his tongue seemed to cleave to the roof of his 
mouth. Turning quickly on his heel, he left him 
for a moment; he was thinking of Audrde Lana- 


8 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


moor, and of what kind of fate awaited her. At 
last, however, Faunus’ voice came back to him, and 
he cried, DieuP’ ^^Mon Dicu!’’ came back 

to him from over the water. 

“Yes, Mon Dieu!” shouted he again, “be merci- 
ful and spare poor, misguided Audrde 

Lucifer was by his side now, and from out of his 
eyes shot a white streak of evil light, that fasci- 
nated Ffaunus, and held him spellbound. 

“Poor, misguided Audree?^’ Lucifer repeated. 
“Ha, ha, brother mine, you should have been born 
a woman, your heart is so soft and tender. You 
cry, ^31 on Dieu! be merciful and spare Audrde!^ I 
say, curses rest on her miserable head!” 

“For God^s sake, hush, Lucifer. Control the 
stormy passion that is raging within you, lest Au- 
drde’s curses rest on your soul.” 

Faunus trembled, and the cold chills crept down 
his back when he thought of the possibility of what 
his brother might do in his present state of feel- 
ings. 

“Tut, tut, Faunus, no use being old-womanish 
now — the end has inevitably come, Audrde’s fate 
shall be painless, but sure.”- 

Instantly the blood mounted to Faunus’ brow, 
and began to throb in his temples, like the piston 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


9 


of a steam engine in its. cylindrical casing; he 
clutched his fists tightly together, and gazed fully 
five minutes upon his brother before he spoke 
again. 

Glimpses of the truth are indeed sometimes 
more bitter than death, and this was a heart-pierc- 
ing revelation to Fkunus. That he was standing 
in the presence of a cold-blooded, would-be mur- 
derer, he had no doubt. 

Faunus by nature was noble and generous, and 
he tried to drive the idea so unmistakably conveyed 
by Lucifer’s words, out of his mind by scornful in- 
credulity, but it was impossible to combat. Lucifer’s 
face now had become haggard and feverish; his 
aristocratic features were so contracted that all 
Faunus could see was a light moustache, and the 
curious white streak in his eyes. Years afterward 
he recalled the detail of that strange expression, 
as people recall the merest trifies that belong to 
the most tragic moments of life, and become in- 
delibly printed upon the memory, along with the 
events themselves. 

^^Lucifer, only pause and think for a moment, 
and all may be well with you both. Audrde loves 
you — in fact, has never known another love. Why 
not marry her? I pray you make her no longer 


10 


PLAYED ON HE ARTS, 


a fool of fortune, or the sport of a heartless liber- 
tine.^’ 

^^It is well enough to talk rubbish where it will 
be appreciated, and possibly take effect, but with 
me facts are ugly, stubborn things, and the fact 
glaringly remains, I care nothing more for Audrde, 
and the sooner she is dead the better it will be 
for me. But, come, Faunus, let us talk no more 
of Audree for the present. Do you not think 
Helena Granville the loveliest woman in France 
to-day? She is, I think, rich in all woman’s love- 
liness. 

With eyes so pure, that from their ray 
Dark vice would turn abashed awayf’^ 

Faunus was surprised. It was some time be- 
fore he made this reply : 

“Yes, Helena Granville is very beautiful. Yet 
it strikes me, Lucifer, you are not quite in your 
right mind, for chaste words like those I have never 
heard you give utterance to before in con- 
nection with any woman, and especially with one 
whom you have never even spoken to. Allow me 
to say they set ill upon your lips.” 

This rather sarcastic reply was answered by a 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


11 


liollow, cynical laugh from Lucifer. Faunus was 
about to say more, but checked himself, and sim- 
ply bowed his head before his brother. 

^^Umph said Lucifer shortly, ‘^you had better 
reserve a little of your sarcasm, my lord, for a 
more suitable occasion.” 

So saying, and waiting no further reply, im- 
perious Lucifer turned on his heel, and once more 
left his brother’s side. 

Faunus had quite resolved to return to Paris, 
even if it were nearly midnight, and leave his 
brother alone with his murderous intentions. But, 
Heavens! just at that moment, Faunus’ eye 
caught, for the first time, moving slowly and 
gracefully along the narrow shore path, the slen- 
der form of a woman. He no longer heard the 
clacking of Lucifer’s heels upon the rock. A mo- 
ment later both men’s hearts stood still. It was 
the most acute moment in their entire lives, and 
one they both remembered when all else had faded. 
They stood many feet apart, yet neither ever for- 
got how bright the moon shone that night, nor 
how pale, yet lovely, Audree looked as she placed 
one small, shapely foot upon the rock, and while 
her face lit up with a smile, intense in its sweet- 
ness, she held out her hand toward Lucifer, for 


12 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


she saw no face nor form but his. One strange, 
haggard glance Lucifer cast upon Faunus, then 
he stepped forward and took her fair hands within 
his own, and assisted her in the most gentle man- 
ner to alight upon the rock. 

“Why, Audree/’ said he, “how did you know 
that I was here?” 

“I saw you from my window,” she replied, “and 
I thought I would come out and learn what it was 
that had kept you away from me so long. Let me 
see, it is now nearly midnight. You are almost al- 
ways at home before nine o’clock.” 

“Yes, I know, darling, forgive me this time, and 
it will never happen again.” 

“Forgive you,” said she, looking up into his eyes. 
“I would forgive you anything, Lucifer, but P 

“But what, Audrde?” 

“Your heart full of love for another,” responded 
she, very softly. 

What passed through his mind at that moment, 
who shall say? Side by side, however, and hand 
in hand they wandered on, till they stood almost 
on the extreme edge of the rock. The world lay 
still and dreamlike. Never had the heavens looked 
lovelier, or the sea grander, to Audrde. Faunus 
stood like one spellbound, watching them; he saw 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


13 


Audrde’s dark eyes fill with tears of worship for 
the man who held her hand, and he thought that 
of all strange things upon the earth, the strangest 
is the passion of man for woman, and the love of 
woman for man. A deep awe and compassion fell 
upon Faunus as he gazed at her. An intense, 
magnetic smile lit up the features of Lucifer when 
at last he folded her in his arms, and kissed her 
cheeks, lips, and brow. She clasped her arms around 
his neck, and clung to him as though she would 
never let him go. After a few seconds, however, 
he became impatient, and began to stare wildly 
around. Faunus knew then that LucifeFs heart 
was seething beyond control with emotions dark 
and dangerous. The place was so silent and lone- 
ly that it filled him with fear. He tried to speak 
to Lucifer and hold him back; but somehow he 
could not. 

Suddenly the sky, sea. and air seemed to mingle 
into one, his body became weak and useless ; he sank 
down upon the rock. He had no power to help 
her now. 

A moment later while Faunus lay upon the rock 
perfectly incapable of emotion, a shriek of horror 
burst upon the still air of night. In the twinkling 
of an eye Faunus was on his feet again; he fell 


u 


PLAYED ON HEABTS. 


upon Lucifer as he was about to pass him and 
fly from his terrible deed. 

^‘You are a devil!’’ cried Faunus. ‘^Take that!” 
And he flung him with great force upon the rock. 

Lucifer was not hurt, and bounding quickly to 
his feet, he soon had his fingers clutched tightly 
upon Faunus’ throat. 

^‘Ha, ha !” laughed he wildy. Then his face sud- 
denly became gray with terror, his voice husky. 
^^Look at the millions, and millions of will o’ the 
wisps : they are dancing all around the fair body of 
Audr^e. And now go with her, and let them dance 
around your body, too !” So saying, he threw Fau- 
nas savagely to one side, then clutched his hair like 
a madman and fled. 

In an instant Faunus recovered himself, ran 
to the edge of the^ rock, looked over into the water. 
There was a deathlike pallor on his handsome face 
when he saw beautiful Audr^e Lanamoor’s white 
countenance and still whiter robe gleam and waver 
on the water’s broken surface, then slowly sink 
down, down, down. The will o’ the wisps flitted 
here and there, then faded to nothing, then reap- 
peared, it seemed to him, in troops of thousands, 
while he called to Lucifer in a tone that would have 
made him tremble, if he could have heard it. But 


FLAYED ON NEABTS. 


15 


Lucifer Lad fled, and Faunus was left alone by the 
sad, resounding sea, which rarely gives up its dead. 
With a despairing cry he set his bloodless lips 
tight together and plunged into the ocean. None 
save God saw his brave struggle with the mighty 
deep — a struggle which, if Faunus had been con- 
scious of his own action, would have surprised no 
one more than himself. Thrice the greedy waves 
pulled them both down, and only by an almost 
superhuman exertion did he drag the lovely, half 
lifeless Audrde up the slippery and shelving rocks. 
Just then the moon dropped from his sight, but 
he no longer needed it to see the form he held in 
his arms. He spoke her name, but she did not 
answer. Winding his arms around her still closer, 
he hurried away with her in the darkness. 


16 


FLAYED ON HEARTS. 


CHAPTER II. 

^^Thy honey twrns to gall, thy joy to grief 

Our lives are crowded with events, as Father 
Time speeds quickly on. We cannot stay him 
if we would, so we are forced to submit to his 
stony will, and laugh or cry according to our dis- 
position in receiving what he chooses to deal out 
to us. Two nights have passed away since Lord 
Faunus Argyle risked his life to save Audrde 
Lanamoor from a cruel death. He brought her 
back to the old house, carried her to her luxurious 
chamber, and with the aid of the two old Spanish 
servants who took care of the house, worked over 
her till she regained consciousness. Then they 
carefully wrapped her in warm blankets and laid 
her down on a soft, dainty couch to rest. 

Soon after, the old servants withdrew, asking 
no questions, for they had learned by long expe- 
rience in a not over-scrupulous servitude, that 
silence under mysterious circumstances was the 


PLAYED ON HEAPTS, 


11 


best policy. They would not, however, have been 
surprised at anything that happened under Luci- 
’fer Argyle^s roof. Even though they were a quiet 
and apparently meek old couple, they had wit- 
nessed many a comedy and tragedy in their lives. 
Comedies that had been both annoying and ridic- 
ulous. Tragedies, heart-rending and horrible in 
the extreme. But they had smiled grimly through 
it all, and now they had reached that time in life 
when joy or sorrow, tragedy or comedy, did not 
concern them, so long as they were well paid for 
their trouble, and had something to talk about 
in their idle hours. 

They had served Lucifer Argyle faithfully for 
many years. They knew his character well, but 
their eyes had been as if unseeing and their lips 
sealed concerning all that passed in this old house. 
It had been Lucifer’s resort since long before his 
college days had ended, and many pretty faces 
of actresses and dancing girls, and even of fine 
‘ ladies they could recall, who had spent unnum- 
bered days and nights with Lucifer, when the wine 
fiowed freely and the revellers were happy for 
a time in their voluptuous pleasures. 

These debauchees, considered him a good fellow 
(for he was very rich), and a great artist, with 


18 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


that free and easy manner of the unwearied spend- 
thrift, who regards his pleasures with coldness, and 
a vague regret when they are over. He soon tired 
of pretty faces and soft caresses. This, all of his 
women associates knew, but it did not in the least 
abash them, for, like Daudet’s Sappho, when the 
end had come, they could feel the plenteous gold 
tucked away in their bosoms. — ^^All that I have 
done. Saint John — has equalled.’’ Their past did 
not trouble them much. They would go as they had 
come, cautiously, and by night, back to gay Paris, 
without a look, or a blush, or an emotion to be- 
tray their recent wantonness. 

Well could the old couple remember what a 
magnificent night it was when Lucifer Argyle first 
brought Audr^e Lanamoor to his strange old house, 
and how, for days and days after, he would wan- 
der with her by the sea, and they would laugh, 
chat, and sing songs, in the heat, under the sum- 
mer’s sun. He was a swift lover, bold and con- 
stant, then. He loved Audr^e and the knowledge 
pleased the old couple, for she was different from 
those who had preceded her — more beautiful and 
modest, more loving, less bold; and this curious 
old couple both loved and respected this sweet 
young girl, almost as much as they feared their 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


Id 

erratic and wilful master. For three years Luci- 
fer^s fair young ^^cMre amie” had retained his af- 
fection. Lucifer, for the first time in his life had 
been in love, and for three years he had been ex- 
cessively happy in his new sensation. But in the 
hour when the beasts of night are loosed, and all 
things baneful prowl around, he had tried to kill 
his beloved Audr^e — all had come so suddenly 
and unexpectedly. The thread of the old sweet 
life had unwound itself with a rush and whirl 
that was absolutely bewildering and maddening, 
and now she, whom he had loved so passionately, 
lay with crushed and bleeding heart, not yet fully 
comprehending the crime Lucifer had attempted. 

She lay on the couch for two days, where Lord 
Faunus had placed her. As the warm blood of 
youth and health again began to course freely 
through her veins, Venus herself as she rose from 
the sea, could not have been more lovely. A soft, 
dreamy languor hung over her. Her eyes were 
of the darkest blue, that kind of blue that is 
found in the purest sapphire, which dulls at times, 
then flashes with fire. Her long eyelashes almost 
touched her cheeks, her parted lips were soft and 
full, and luscious enough to teinpt Saint Anthony 
himself; and no man worthy the name of man 


20 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


would not think the world well lost to kiss and 
be kissed by those lovely lips, to feel those arms 
clasping him close in lovers fond caresses. Her 
neck was like snow, and with every breath her 
bosom rose and fell, its whiteness faintly tinged 
with color, shining like tinted marble through 
the golden meshes of her beautiful hair, which par- 
tially covered, but did not conceal its wealth of 
beauty. Her tapering fingers toyed with a plain 
gold ring which Lucifer had playfully placed on 
her finger, at the same time swearing eternal and 
undying love, calling her by the sweetest names, 
promising everything for the future. She was 
thinking of her past, of her love for Lucifer, and 
of his passion for her; now and then she smiled, 
and a thrill ran through her form. Her face 
would glow with pleasure: then her expression 
would change, and her eyes grow dull. 

^dt is strange, very strange,” she murmured; 
to herself one night, as the meaning of the re- 
cent occurrences began to dawn upon her. ‘‘All 
has changed so suddenly. What was it that 1 
loved, I wonder? Could it have been a man — the 
man who was all tenderness at one time? How 
I loved him! And did he really seek to kill me 
— me, who had loved him so fondly, so madly?” 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


21 


With this she sprang to her feet, all her languor 
and weakness forgotten, as she seemed suddenly 
to awaken to the fact that Lucifer had sought to 
drown her — that he had fled, that she was left 
alone to face the world as best she might. Slowly 
she walked to the window. The sea lay tranquil 
and smooth in the moonlight. It was just such 
a night as that on which Lucifer had attempted 
to end her life, a night for kisses and caresses. 
But where was the lover? Her lips tightened as 
she continued to gaze upon the sea. Its very calm- 
ness mocked her, and the stars in their constant 
glittering appeared to laugh at her. Then the 
loud, harsh cry of a sea gull came to her ears, and 
it seemed in her excited imagination, to say : 

^Wou may weep, plead, and suffer, but you will 
never bring your lover back again.’’ 

The stillness of the night was oppressive. Her 
heart beat wildly her brain whirled, and her face 
burned like a flame. She groaned piteously. Run- 
ning her fingers wildly through her hair she cried : 

^^Oh, Lucifer, Lucifer ! It is all so hideous, hor- 
rible, and incredible. It does not even yet, seem 
possible that you are nothing but a base and de- 
ceiving coward. Oh! fool, fool! Have you no 
fear that I may rise from the watery grave where 


22 


FLAYED ON EEABTS. 


you believe I am lying, and kill you? Think you, 
when I come to you — for come I shall — that you 
will dare brave my vengeance?^’ 

Suddenly the ferocity of a beast awoke in her. 
She frantically seized the garment she wore, tore 
it from her soft form, and stood before a 
long mirror that adorned the wall. Her eyes 
now flashed Are, and rolled about in a sort 
of frenzied restlessnessL Her lips were scar- 
let, and her breast rose and fell with the storm 
that was raging in her heart. A more beautiful 
woman God had never formed, and she wondered 
and wondered, as she looked at herself, what there 
was about her that had made Lucifer’s love turn 
to hate. How often he had kissed her velvety 
lips, murmuring in the sweetest of tones, “that love, 
true love such as his, could never die.” Then their 
lips would join in a kiss, so long and fervent that 
it seemed as though it would kill them both. For 
hours afterward he would sit beside her, holding 
her head in his hands, pouring his whole soul into 
her beautiful eyes with a long, passionate gaze. 
And love was theirs then, and they were satisfled. 

“How could such love as ours ever die?” she 
cried, as she placed her hand over her heart, as 
though to stop its wild beating. 


FLAYED ON EEABTS, 


23 


Audr^e’s love for Lucifer had been the greatest, 
strongest and sweetest impulse of her life. It had 
been stronger than herself — it had conquered her, 
as, indeed, one day, love, if it be worth anything, 
will conquer all of us, sometimes for better, often 
for worse. If she had been older and wiser in the 
world^s wisdom, she would have paused a while, 
and thought of the end of such passion. Lucifer^s 
inclinations, she knew, ran to the worst extremes. 
Many and many a time he had told her her body 
w^as charming and ravishingly lovely, as he lost 
himself in a mad rush of feeling. ^^And he loved 
this soft, fair flesh of mine,” said she, “and nothing 
more. Nothing more! He did not know nor care 
whether I had a heart or not, but I was blind, and 
did not see it. He has found some one else, 
perhaps she is beautiful too, and he loves her.” 
A deadly coldness clutched at her heart at 
the very thought of such a thing, a great dark- 
ness seemed to close about her. She reeled and 
would have fallen, had she not caught the back 
of a chair for support. The first real horror of 
the treachery of Lucifer’s nature came over her, 
and stifled all the young, sw^eet life in her. She 
loathed herself almost as much as she loathed him. 
What was her beauty to her now? Nothing — nay. 


24 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


less than nothing. After a few moments, she 
slipped on her loose, airy gown again, then she 
snatched a beautiful picture of Lucifer from the 
top of her dressing case, and threw it away far 
out of her sight, with such violence that the glass 
shattered into a thousand pieces. 

^^It’s all dead, worse than dead!’^ she cried, 
^^struck, as it were, with one blinding blow by 
him who made me believe he loved me — and me 
alone 

It was now long past midnight. The moon had 
sunk from view, the whole world seemed hushed 
in sleep. Nothing could be heard in that great 
house but Audree’s light footstep and voice talk- 
ing, crying, and moaning. The sounds at last 
brought Lord Faunus Argyle from an apartment 
near by, where he had stationed himself, fearing 
the consequences when she should fully awaken 
to the wrong done her. 

As he entered the room, she became very still. 
He spoke her name, but she did not answer. She 
was on her knees before her couch, with her face 
buried in the pillows. v 

“Ah ! poor human heart,’^ thought he, “how it is 
tossed to and fro in this world by some mighty 
power, and how it struggles against the forces 


'PLAYED m HEARTS, 


25 


whose toy it is.’’ He tried to comfort her, but 
she did not seem to hear his voice. Kneeling down 
beside her, he placed his hand on her shoulder, 
and tried to sympathize with her. Still she made 
him no reply. 

At last he rose, and stood watching her. Audree 
lingered a few moments longer, then she, too, raised 
herself from her kneeling posture, dried her eyes, 
and said without looking at her companion : 

^^You here. Lord Faunus?” 

Pulling her gown closer around her snowy 
bosom, she fastened it tightly together, then turned 
her face toward Lord Faunus Argyle. Strange 
as it may seem, she smiled, but it was such a cu- 
rious smile that it made his heart stand still for 
a moment. Then she said in a steady, cold, and 
revengeful voice: 

^^A madness of determination comes to me. Lord 
Faunus. I will not stay in this house till day 
breaks, for things here, now, are to me hateful, 
horrible, vile. My heart burns when I think of 
all that has come to me in the last few hours!” 
She passed her hand across her brow before she 
spoke again. 

^^Ah, me ! had I known Lucifer was so heartless, 
base, and cruel, I might have been spared all this ; 


26 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


been spared — before he came to me with words 
of love. But I did not know. How was I to know', 
when he looked so true and his voice was so gen- 
tle? He persuaded me that all of life w^orth liv- 
ing — all of pleasures worth having, are those which 
w^e sip from the lips of the man or woman we 
love. So I gave him my life, my soul, my all, 
because I loved him best of all the men in the 
w^orld. What am I now after it all? Oh, God, 
it is cruel! But w^hat am I saying? It is getting 
late, and I must gather up every coin, every gem, 
every trifle of luxury and cost I possess, and with 
my splendid costumes, and priceless diamonds I 
will wrap myself in a long, dark cloak. Thickly 
veiled, I wdll go to Paris and dispose of them. Then 
I shall have more than enough to satisfy all my 
needs, and w^hile I have life Lucifer shall not es- 
cape me. He has done his accursed w^ork, and ven- 
geance shall be mine!” 

After this she was silent for many moments. 
When she spoke again her voice was calmer, but 
Lord Argyle could see that her trouble, and the 
danger she had undergone had sharpened her 
senses strengthened her wdll. 

“Lord Faunus,” said she, “you are a brave man. 
You fought well to save a soul, all unworthy 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


27 


though it be. I cannot thank you for my life, 
for it is of no value to me now, but some day 1 
will render you a service equally as great as the 
one you rendered me. Only two nights ago the 
water we can so plainly see from the window 
held us both in its overwhelming power, but by 
some superhuman strength that was imparted' to 
you, we were rescued from such a death. Then 
I was but a foolish child. To-night I am a woman, 
aged a hundred years, it seems to me. Before 
Lucifer tried to kill me I heard nothing all day 
long but the sweet music of his voice. I trusted 
mankind because I trusted him, and now ! I am 
cursed with the knowledge that love, with such as 
Lucifer’s, is only a passion— a counterfeit emotion 
practised on every woman who loves him. Of 
course it is very easy to deceive the young, for 
they are trusting and ignorant, and a kiss from 
the lips of such a man as Lucifer, if the woman 
loves him, will cause her to part with her liberty, 
all that is most precious to life, and deem the bar- 
gain good. You remember, don’t you. Lord Ar- 
gyle, ihe little orphan girl who lived with her old 
aunt Mary Laramoor, in one of the small cottages 
adjoining your estate in Scotland? You never 
took much notice of her^ but Lucifer did. Well! 


28 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


you know the rest. It is three years, only three 
years since then. Now it seems an eternity!” And 
she looked out of the window in the darkness, 
straight at the sea. 

“Aunt Mary is dead. She died soon ^fter I left 
Scotland. Now I have not a friend or relative 
left on the face of the earth.” 

“It is too bad,” said Lord Argyle. “But, Audr^e, 
you have one friend in me. I am going to help 
you.” 

She looked earnestly at him, as she replied : 

“I believe you are my friend, but I do not need 
any help, for Lucifer was more than lavish in his 
gifts to me — I have money enough, and as you 
already know, jewels worth thousands of pounds 
are locked away in my safe. I am going to sell 
them all — for I shall never wear them again. And 
now. Lord Argyle, believe me when I say that 
Audr^e Lanamoor is dead. She died two nights 
ago at midnight, she will soon be forgotten by all 
who ever knew her, for no one ever really loved 
her, and no one will miss her now that she has 
gone. She was only twenty-one years old when 
she died, but that does not matter ” 

Lord Argyle stroked his moustache a moment, 
hardly knowing what to say^ but at last he 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


29 

1 

stretched out his hand and said, with his fine eyes 
full of sympathy : 

“My child, if Audr^e Lanamoor is dead, who 
are you, pray?^’ 

“Who am I? Better ask what am I, and I can 
say, only a being who has suddenly come to life 
clothed in fiesh, but with no name or anything else 
she can call her own, but an insatiable desire to 
seek out the elements, that make the flashing lights 
of pleasure and bitterness, and joys and sorrows 
of man’s life. Lucifer shall be my study. I will 
follow him wherever he goes — I shall hear all his 
falsehoods, watch his treachery and cruel outrages, 
and in his amorous infidelities witness many a 
poor, innocent fool dragged down to a level with 
the meanest, and the poorest. Yes, — I will follow 
him till the day comes when I shall see him cry- 
ing in misery over the ashes of an ill-spent life; 
then he will know me, know that I am alive, he 
will plead for mercy but I will show him none — 
none!” she cried with blanched cheeks and dilat- 
ing eyes, “and I will live, till I see him cancel his 
bond of life in some horrible manner — that I may 
laugh, and say, ‘Lucifer, my base, treacherous 
lover, is dead I’ ” While she had been talking, the 
sting of her torture rose up with tenfold more 


30 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


strength, and blinded her reason. Lord Argyle 
stood like one stunned; he hardly knew what to 
say, but blurted out : 

^^Audr^e, I pray you, do not seek revenge, for 
revenge, you know, is the food of fools.” 

She curled her lips at this, but made no answer. 
Lord Argyle looked around the room once or twice 
before he spoke again. Then he stretched out his 
hand toward her, and in the kindest voice pos- 
sible said: 

“Audr^e, you must not choose your future now 
in blind haste. Let me take you away to Paris, 
where you will meet new faces, and witness new 
scenes, which will help you to drive away all bitter 
thoughts. Why, my dear, you have not even yet 
felt the tempering hand of years. Only pause and 
think for a moment of what you could do with 
your beauty, youth, and intelligence.” Her blood- 
less lips moved to speak, he quickly placed his hand 
over them as though he understood what she would 
say, and also to hide the sneer that had settled 
there. She was getting impatient, and he saw it. 
He also knew her passion had been too real, and 
that it had been upheaved and rent in twain with 
coldness and cruelty that was frightful in the 
extreme. 


FLAYED ON HEARTS. 


31 


^Tray, d)o not misunderstand me,” continued 
Lord Argyle, I cause you pain. Audrde, you 
stand alone in the world, without ready money, 
and without friends — Lucifer thinks you are dead. 
He has gone his way. Other women will take 
your place, and now it is for your sake, and your 
peace of mind, that I offer you, before I go, a 
few thousand pounds, that can add to your 
already goodly store, and which might have 
the most important influence on your whole fu- 
ture — ^and ” 

Here she interrupted him. 

“I thank you. Lord Argyle — I cannot accept 
your money; as I told you before, I have plenty 
for all my needs. And now, just before you go, 
promise me that never, under any circumstances, 
will you disclose my identity to Lucifer. Prom- 
ise!” she eagerly cried, when she saw that he hes- 
itated for a moment. 

Lord Argyle laid his hand on her beautiful hair, 
and looked into her wonderful eyes, while he said : 

^‘Audrde, you may trust me. I pledge you my 
word of honor that I will never under 
any circumstances whatever disclose your identity 
to him.” His breath came hot and quick as he 
bent over and imprinted a kiss on her fair brow. 


32 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


^‘Farewell/’ he murmured, ^‘but it makes my 
heart ache to leave you thus, for I would gladly 
do what I can for you. But you will have it so. 
Once more, farewell.” 

He was gone. Before the door closed behind 
him, however, he heard her say: 

‘We shall meet again. Lord Argyle.” Then she 
set to work with new energy and strength to gather 
her money and jewels together and a large store she 
had by her. Whether she left the house before Lord 
Argyle did, or he went before her, neither one 
nor the other of them ever knew. She waited, 
however, for a faint light to break in the sky to 
guide her on her way, before she vanished, from the 
old stone house by the sea. 


V 


/ 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


33 


CHAPTER III. 

^^And so he sleeps; 

No troubled thought of evil brings regret. 

The past, so fraught with horrors deep, 

No gaunt oA^enging vigil keeps. 

And like a child he rests and can forget.” 

— Hall. 

Twelve days and twelve nights have passed 
away since the event last recorded. Now, come 
with me, kind reader, and I will show you a great 
artist. Tread lightly, for I am going to take you 
into one of the most costly and elegant studios 
in all Paris. Tread lightly, for fear we may awaken 
him from a dream, for his eyes are closed, and his 
hands lie idle on the soft cushions of the chair 
in which he is reposing. As he lies there, wrapped 
in the arms of slumber, with an expression on his 
pale face, as innocent and free of guile as that of 
a child, think you he bears any resemblance to Lu- 
cifer, — Lucifer, whose hands are soiled with 


34 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


crime? It is well that the deeds and thoughts of 
men are not stamped upon their brows, or Lucifer, 
for his atrocious crimes would be shunned by his 
more worthy fellow creatures. So much for edu- 
cation and civilization; they possess the elements 
of art and the power of concealing, at least from 
the world at large, the fiendish daring works of 
the human heart and brain. And while he lies 
there, lost to all the world, hundreds of men and 
women are standing spellbound before his paint- 
ing of the Ascension,” that he has just completed, 
and which hangs on exhibition in one of the great- 
est art-galleries in Paris, and that the world of 
Paris has proclaimed wonderful. 

The people stand before it and feel — they know’ 
not what. Yes, Lucifer possesses the power to 
represent and express on canvas eloquence, beauty 
and a lofty range of feeling and of thought that 
inspires and kindles in the hearts of many, greater 
hopes and purposes and aspirations than they have 
ever known before. Lucifer sleeps on, though if 
he were awake his pulse would beat no higher 
should he hear his praises sounded from lip to lip. 
His work was perfect. He had attained it, to be sure, 
through careful, conscientious diligence, but at a 
costly price. Lucifer had been fortunate all his 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


35 


life — more so than mos.t artists. His best and 
strongest work had been given to the world at the 
outset. He had cleverly succeeded even beyond 
his wildest dreams. And Lucifer sleeps on, un- 
der that magic spell which lies in being ‘‘Known.” 

At last he opened his eyes, stared about him. 
Seeing no one but his valet he smiled, then started 
to his feet. 

“Oh! Francois,” he cried, “I have had such a 
peculiar dream, while all those shrewd Frenchmen 
were raving over my picture. I was in a land of 
song and beautiful women. A woman, with eyes 
just like yours, came to me and said, ‘This is no 
place for you, Lucifer Argyle, for cowards and 
murderers never come here.’ ” 

“It was only a dream,” said Frangois, with a 
little laugh, “you should not let that worry you.” 

“But, I tell you, she was the loveliest woman I 
have ever seen. She was like a goddess in her 
gracefulness, and the charms of her beauty were 
beyond compare. Still, as you say, it was only a 
dream. It has cast a curious spell over me, 
though.” Then muttering something to himself 
Frangois did not understand, he wiped his brow 
and began to walk to and fro in au excited man- 


ner. 


36 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


Now and then he would pause, glance out of 
the window, then go on again like a madman. Sud- 
denly he stopped, turned very pale and shuddered, 
as he said: 

“Francois, I want you to get everything ready 
to-night, for we are going to leave Paris to-mor- 
row. You understand?” 

^Terfectly, monsieur, though I trust your dream 
has nothing to do with your hasty departure from 
Paris?” 

^‘Nothing whatever,” replied Lucifer, almost 
brutally, as he turned and made his way into his 
chamber. Noiselessly closing the door behind him, 
he flung himself in an easy-chair and cried aloud : 

“I am tired of Paris — ^yes, tired even of her peo- 
ple’s praises. I long to see new faces and a new 
country. Possibly a change will do me good and 
aid me in forgetting my hateful past. I cannot 
even work as I did a few weeks ago. I do not 
know what has come over me.” 

After this he became so absorbed in meditation 
that he did not heed^the time. Frangois, who had 
already completed the packing, became alarmed 
at his master’s unusually long absence from his 
studio. 

Softly rapping at the chamber door, he quickly 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


37 


roused Lucifer from the unhappy state he had 
fallen into. 

^^Well?^’ he asked, as he opened the door, and 
his eyes met those of Francois. “Is there anything 
that I can do?” 

“No, monsieur, nothing. I have attiended to 
everything, but you must be aware it is dinner time. 
I am sure you are not one of those strangely con- 
stituted beings who can live forever on air.” 

“No,” laughed Lucifer. “But you are a wondrous 
piece of human machinery to get everything ready 
in so short a time. Though you have not been with 
me five days it seems as though I had known you all 
my life. Now, I could not possibly get along with- 
out you, for you are a clever lad. Pour me out a 
glass of wine, then I will hasten to my dinner.” 


38 


PLAYED ON HEAPTS, 


CHAPTER IV. 

Things out of hope are compassed off with ventur- 
ing,’’ 

St. Agnes Convent is situated upon a quiet and 
lovely hillock, a little on the outskirts of the quaint 

old town of M , in Canada. High as the walls 

stand, the convent buildings loom far above them 
and these seem in their loftiness and silence, to bid 
the wayfarer pause, and oftentimes wonder if there 
be such a thing as life anywhere within the pre- 
cincts of this sacred enclosure. There is something 
very sweet and pathetic about the chimes in the 
convent chapel as the sound floats near mid-day 
upon the warm spring air. One can easily imagine 
words sweet and solemn, in their musical tones. 

Three men were leaning against the convent wall 
on the east side of the building, and as the last 
sound died away, tears filled the eyes of one of 
them. 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


39 


^^Ay, ay,’^ muttared he, as he involuntarily 
glanced toward his companions (who had somehow 
fallen into serious thought, too), ^^this is all very 
well, being shut away in this exclusive style from 
the world and the people who mingle in it, and, who, 
after all, are the only ones who make it a place 
fit to live in. And it is in this carefully excluded 
world and in it alone that we get a taste of pleas- 
ure and joys, whether transitory or lasting — who 
knows?” 

A clock in the chapel struck twelve. This seemed 
to rouse the three men to action, for they started 
and began to walk up and down the pavement 
outside the convent walls. 

‘^Beg pardon, my lord, but you quite surprised 
me a while ago, with your eyes so full of tears and 
a fiush for all the world like a schoolgirPs. It 
was quite unusual for a man, and in this hardened 
age. Pray, tell us what made you so serious, and 
what you were thinking about?” 

It was a pleasantly modulated tone, and one well 
calculated to awaken a kindly, yet somewhat prac- 
tical nature, such as Lord Faunus Argyle’s, from a 
day dream. 

“Ah, indeed, Lindsa,” returned he, with a smile, 
and fully restored to his old self again, “I quite 


40 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


forgot myself for a time. The sounds, so sweet and 
deep, and sacred, that only a moment ago fell upon 
my ears, carried me far back, almost to my boy- 
hood days. Rarely does one hear so sweet a chime 
of bells.” Then he turned his eyes away from his 
companions, and for a moment gazed steadily down 
upon the streets of the village, where he could see 
the villagers and school children hurrying cheer- 
fully homeward to the mid-day meal. The sight of 
human beings, so full of life and motion, in a meas- 
ure dispelled that feeling of loneliness and solem- 
nity that had been gradually stealing over him, even 
while he walked by the side of his more cheerful 
companions. 

“I wonder,” he said presently, smiling up at the 
old storm beaten cross on the chapel, “whether 
within these gloomy looking buildings there dwells 
one soul with life in it.” 

“You are wondering, my lord,” remarked his 
other companion, Pietro Trachanzie, “whether their 
could be such a thing as life anywhere enclosed 
in these forbidding walls. Indeed there is, for I 
know of one who has life enough for all the rest 
of the young women St. Agnes contains.” 

“Who is she?” inquired Lord Argyle, with a per- 
ceptible ring of curiosity in his voice. 


FLAYED ON HEARTS. 


41 


Trachanzie lauglied softly as he replied : 

‘^My cousin Zondola Traville. She is one of those 
fiery individuals whom every one likes till she gives 
vent to her natural impulses. Then — ^well, one can 
only lift their eyebrows and bonder why the Gar- 
den was a wild, and man the hermit sighed, till 
woman smiled.’ Still, Zondola is the one and only 
woman I have ever loved, and some day I expect 
to make her my wife.” 

Lord Argyle laughed aloud, as he said: 

^^Surely, Trachanzie, your cousin, as you speak 
of her, would never have given the stranger we 
read about a chance to become melancholy in 
Eden’s rosy bower.” 

‘^Nay, nay, my lord, Zondola would have found 
enough to amuse her there. Both she and Adam 
would have found something to do all day long. 
She is considered rather wild by many of her 
friends. With all her faults she is a good natured 
little thing most of the time, and I love her very 
much.” 

^^Now,” said he, turning to Lindsa, ^^tell us some- 
thing of your cousin Helena Granville, whose 
beauty was the talk of all Paris last year.” 

Lord Argyle’s cheeks grew warm, his heart 
throbbed quickly at the mention of Helena Gran- 


42 


PLAYED ON EE ARTS. 


vine’s name, which had a peculiar fascination for 
him. He waited eagerly for Lindsa to speak. With 
a curious smile on his lips, and like one in a dream 
he heard him say : 

do not know whether she is my cousin or not. 
Anyway, my mother taught me to call her that. 
Why she weeps, and broods and prostrates herself 
for hours before the image of the Blessed Virgin, 
scarce knowing why she prays or why fate 
has doomed her to such a gloomy life, I cannot tell 
you. I only know that she is beautiful, very rich, 
and away up here in Canada with a score or more 
of nuns, who protect her body, soul and money 
with their lives.” 

^Tooh ! for one I could do away with all the nuns 
in the world,” said Trachanzie. 

“Then you would not have been one of S^. An- 
thony’s warmest supporters,” laughed Lord Argyle. 

“No, indeed, my lord. It was, I think, a very 
good thing when the nuns were expelled from Ger- 
many. Now tell me, would your heart have broken 
for them, if you had been in existence when they 
were driven from their convents in France?” 

“No, no,” said Lord Argyle, “for I am of Scotch 
descent, and the heart of a true Briton rarely 
breaks over such matters, you know. But,” con- 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


43 


tinned he, now with the gravest of smiles, ^^how 
came you by such a fair bit of knowledge concern- 
ing the nuns? It seems so out of your line of 
thought that it strikes me as being quite laughable.” 
And before Trachanzie had time to draw another 
long breath, both his lordship and Lindsa were 
shaking with laughter. Trachanzie did not know 
whether to smile or grow indignant at such merry- 
making over the little knowledge he had at some 
time or other gleaned from a reliable source, 
thinking at the time it a good thing to know^, and 
how he could startle, with his information, some 
wise person like Lord Argyle, who thought him a 
good fellow, blessed with a fine voice for song, and 
a talent for composition, but with no more knowl- 
edge of history, books or people than a mere child. 
But Trachanzie was too good natured and prosaic 
to allow such a trifie to annoy him very long, so 
while his companions were amusing themselves at 
his expense, his voice dropped into a dreamy mel- 
ody, and the beauty and sw^eetness of his song soon 
silenced them. 

am sure,” said he, when all was quiet again, 
^^you can tell us, Lindsa, something more of how' 
Helena Granville became your cousin.” 

The eyes of Lord Argyle were now cast upon the 


44 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


ground, but his ears drank in eagerly every sylla- 
ble which had fallen from the lips of Trachanzie. 

“To satisfy your curiosity, my friends,” said 
Lindsa, “I will tell you all I know of the beautiful 
young woman in question. My mother had one 
brother known as Leighton Granville. He married, 
but late in life, a woman both young and pretty, 
but not very intelligent nor well educated. Immedi- 
ately, however, after their marriage, which was 
solemnized in New York City with great splendor, 
they set sail for Europe. My uncle had been rather 
wild in his youth, and what his romances had been 
none of us knew. He, however, was no stranger 
on the other side of the water, having lived the 
greater part of his youthful days abroad. He was 
enormously wealthy — in fact, he wms called one of 
the wealthiest men in New York City, as long ago 
as I can remember. I knew very little of him up 
to ihe date of his marriage with his American bride. 
When he died in Paris, a little over a year ago, 
he left, greatly to every one’s astonishment, the bulk 
of his great fortune to an obscure little girl called 
Helena Granville, whom we had never even heard 
of till Leighton Granville’s soul had fled from this 
uncertain world. He also extracted a promise from 
her on his dying bed that at the age of twenty-one 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


45 


she would renounce this world, and become a nun. 
Her great fortune was to be spent in good deeds. 
Therein lies a mystery, for Leighton Granville 
was not known to be a charitable man, in any sense 
of the word. He never, to my knowledge, did a 
kindness to any one. On the contrary, he was ex- 
ceedingly selfish and parsimonious in his dealings 
with mankind. Helena was born eleven years previ- 
ous to the date of his marriage with Janet Holmes. 
I know of no other alliance, still he might have con- 
tracted a dozen. Only a few weeks before he died 
he wrote to my mother, expressing an earnest wish 
that she should recognize Helena in her family as 
a legitimate relative. To make a long story short, 
she carried out his every desire to the letter, and 
Helena stands to-day the most dearly beloved of 
all our relatives. I have been told that Sister Sa- 
perior here, at St. Agnes, is an exceedingly beau- 
tiful woman, and she was the only one who heard 
the last words he spoke before he died. Under her 
charge he placed Helena for life. Now, my friends, 
you have it all in a nutshell. Are you much wiser 
than when I began? It is a great mystery, anyway, 
and one, I fear, it will take many years to unfold.'^ 
“A mystery surrounds her, then,’’ said Trachan- 
zie. “So much the better. It will make her more 


46 


FLAYED ON HEARTS. 


interesting and bewitching. By the way, who has 
forgotten, or ever will forget, that great and cele- 
brated brother of yours. Lord Argyle. Was it not 
he who said, when he by accident met her in Paris 
last year, that he only heard her speak to Sister 
Superior as they stood in front of one of his pic- 
tures, called — something or other — hanging in one 
of the Art Galleries, and the sun shone a thousand 
times brighter to him, and when, after they turned 
and saw him standing beside them, and Helena 
spoke in praise of his work and touched his hand, 
all else faded from his eyes save her dark, expres- 
sive face? Her eyes would play havoc with any 
man — to say nothing of her sweet voice and inno- 
cent, charming manner. Do you remember. Lord 
Argyle, how this turned Lucifer’s head, and how he 
made us go with him from place to place, just to 
catch a glimpse of her face? How well Sister Su- 
perior guarded her! for Lucifer never had another 
chance to speak to her while she stayed in Paris, 
though he saw her many times after. Sudden Ij 
they disappeared, and Lucifer disappeared also 
Was this not true, my lord?” 

Lord Argyle’s thoughts, at this time of interrup- 
tion, were of such a nature that even Trachanzie’s 
voice had a tendency to shatter his nerves. The 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


4 *^ 


very mention of Lucifer^s name made him shudder 
and turn pale to the lips. 

‘^Yes — yes,” replied he, hardly knowing what he 
did say. 

After a momentary pause Trachanzie resumed : 

“I fancy Sister Superior knew Leighton Gran- 
ville much better than any one can conjecture; for it 
was some time before he died that she went over 
to France with Helena. It was a very important 
business matter with him, I have been told, that 
called the Sister there, — hence, Helena^s visit to 
Paris.” 

Lindsa smiled when he said: doubt if any 

one knows his life better than Sister Superior. I 
have often wondered, as people will, you know, 
how the Sister became acquainted with my uncle 
and what Helena was to him.” 

^^Yes, I am troubled about that too,” laughed 
Trachanzie. ^^But look here, my lord, you are not 
saying one word.” 

His lordship laughed a low, soft laugh that 
had little meaning in it. “What matters it,” he 
said, “where Helena came from, or who she belongs 
to? She is young, beautiful, and rich, and as 
sweet as the flowers in springtime. I say, wel- 
come^ twice welcome to earth is such a woman.” 


48 


PLAYED ON HEABTS, 


After this they relapsed into silence for a mo- 
ment or two. A dark clond had risen in the 
sky and shut out the brightness of the sun, but 
they did not notice it, for they were too busy with 
their thoughts. Lindsa broke the silence. 

“Look here, friends,” he said, “brace up and I 
will tell you how we three are going to have great 
sport next month, that is, if you will accept the 
invitation I am about to extend to you.” 

“Sport,” Lord Argyle repeated, as a peculiar 
expression flitted across his handsome features, as 
though the word was almost unknown to him. 

“Well, pleasures, then, if that suits you better.^’ 
Lindsa smiled once more good-naturedly, “And if 
you will pardon me this time, I will never com- 
mit the fault of shocking your fastidious hearing 
again by using such a commonplace word.” 

They all laughed. 

“Quite an American way of putting things, my 
boy,” said his lordship kindly, patting him on 
the shoulder. “I am more than willing to join you 
in the sport you anticipate in the coming months.” 

“And you?” Lindsa said, turning to Trachanzie. 

“I am with you,” responded that gentleman 
most cordially as he displayed a dazzling set of 
white even teeth that looked so well under a pair 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


49 


of full red lips, almost the only feature worthy 
of note this diminutive Italian possessed. Tra- 
f chanzie^s nature, however, was wholly artistic. His 
voice was full and sweet as any man would wish 
to listen to. He had composed many a song, and 
they had been sung in almost every land. Still, 
with all, Pietro Trachanzie’s intelligence and char- 
acter were far below mediocrity. When a conzona 
was completed and handed over to his publisher 
or when a song was sung and laid upon the shelf, 
his only thought was: ^ Where now can I find 
a pretty woman and plenty of good wine to while 
away the remaining hours of idleness?^’ Women 
of a certain calibre raved over this undersized 
artist and they fiattered him till they spoilt him; 
and after all their tender glances and soft ca- 
resses he would say to many a fair maiden upon 
dismissal : have no heart to give you, for I am 

wedded to my art, but I will dedicate my next 
song to you.” Whether or not the promise of 
* their names in print was a satisfactory compen- 
sation for all the affection they had bestowed upon 
him will remain a dead letter till the end of time. 

On the other hand, Gordon Lindsa was a 
typical American gentleman from his light, curly 
hair, to the toes of his well polished boots. Many 


50 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


called this tall, slender New Yorker handsome. If 
beauty consists in a fair, girlish .complexion, and 
fairly good, blue eyes and a mouth of unusual 
smallness, then Lindsa was handsome indeed. He 
possessed one feature, however, that only himself 
and the reader of human character had discov- 
ered ; that was his jaw. It was full of determina- 
tion and stubborn persistency. In a measure it 
counterbalanced his other features, which ex- 
pressed little but weakness and vanity. Lindsa 
was a generous man, in fact, he was liberal to a 
fault, but this virtue delighted his vanity, for it 
gave him the opportunity many times to sway 
the subjects of his beneficence, and he loved to 
rule. He had oftentimes wondered why it was 
that such as he had not been born kings instead 
of plain citizens of America. 

“Ha, ha!’^ laughed he, “you have both uncon- 
sciously accepted an invitation I heartily give you 
to spend the summer months with my mother. 
Sister Helena Granville, and last, but not least, 
myself, at our cottage by the sea.” 

Now they were walking slowly back and forth 
under the green trees that lined the walk outside 
the walls of the convent. They were talking, 
laughing, and joking with one another in a pleas- 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


51 


urable manner when suddenly Lord Faunus per- 
ceived a man who had Lucifer Argyle’s unusual, 
straight figure, making his way swiftly toward 
them. 

Yes, it was he! Lord Argyle knew too well his 
brother’s walk. His heart almost ceased beating 
for a second. How Lucifer reached his side and 
seized his hand in spite of all Lord Faunus’ desire 
to resist it he never knew, any more than he could 
trace the source of deep influence Lucifer exer- 
cised over all people when in their presence. 

^^Mon Dieu/’ Trachanzie cried with more enthu- 
siasm then he had been wont to use in all his life 
before. ^Where in the name of Heaven did Lu- 
cifer Argyle drop from?” 

Just then the clock in the convent chapel struck 
the hour of one. Lord Argyle glanced down at 
the cold, white hand that lay in his. How it came 
there was a mystery to him. As he continued to 
gaze upon it, suddenly it seemed to turn into a 
pool of blood. He shuddered and grew cold, as 
he made a desperate effort to free his hand from 
his brother’s firm clasp, but all in vain. Lucifer’s 
will power for the time being was more potent 
than his and for an instant or two he swayed 
under his brother’s powerful magnetic influence 


52 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


just as the great artist intended he should. Sud- 
denly the whole scene came vividly before him, the 
great, flat rock by the sea in France, his brother 
standing straight and tall before him with his 
usually pale face still paler under the glare of 
the moon ; the hundreds of will o’ the wisps flitting 
here and there, while Lucifer’s thoughts were bent 
on crime. He could see the cold, damp brow, then 
came the flgure of his mistress moving slowly but 
surely along that narrow shore path. How love- 
ly she looked! When at last she reached her lov- 
er’s side and looked with eyes full of passionate 
adoration upon him, his face grew dark and hag- 
gard. Then a slight struggle, a loud scream, then 
— ^with a violent start Lord Faunus wrenched his 
hand, it seemed to him, from out of a serpent’s 
mouth. For hours afterward he could feel the 
bite of the viper’s poison. He did not dare to 
cry out or say anything that would rouse his com- 
panions’ suspicions, so he simply bowed his head 
before Lucifer and said just as though he had 
not passed through such mental agony: “Luci- 
fer, where do you hail from?” (then in an under- 
tone) “How dare you — ” but here he checked him- 
self and more cautiously uttered, “Would you do 
something to please me?” 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


53 


^Willingly,” responded Lucifer. 

^^Then never touch my hand again.” 

The artist’s slender figure bent slightly, and in 
an undertone, he answered: ^Tt shall be exact- 
ly as you wish, my lord ” 

Then he darted off to speak to Trachanzie and 
Lindsa, whom he knew quite well. They had 
walked away a short distance as he approached 
his brother. He stepped up quickly between them 
with the air of a man well pleased with himself, 
leaving Lord Faunus leaning once more against 
the stone wall wondering at his brother’s coolness 
and self-possession. Lucifer would have been a 
poor actor, indeed, in life’s great drama if he had 
betrayed his feelings by starting and turning pale 
and all that sort of thing, even though he had 
not seen his brother for one whole year, and meet- 
ing him so unexepectedly in such an out of the way 
place for these two distinguished men to be. But 
the walls of St. Agnes Convent hid a woman’s 
face they both silently admired and we all know 
men will sometimes do curious things in this world 
to gratify a passion or whim. 


54 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


CHAPTER V. 

\ 

^^WhaPs the matter with thee nowf’ 

Lucifer suspected that his brother had come to 
Canada with the idea that possibly by chance Fate 
would be kind to him, and perhaps now and then 
show him the face of Helena Granville. Curiously 
enough, Lord Faunus had come across Gordon Lind- 
sa in his travels, and quite unostentatiously had cul- 
tivated his acquaintance. Lindsa was made of the 
true American stuff, and readily enough responded 
to the title ^^My Lord.’^ Lucifer was a cunning, 
skillful genius, and with his fine tact and thorough 
knowledge of the world, soon discovered by a few 
words that escaped from the unwary Trachanzie’s 
lips, that by forming friendship with the young 
American he had more than won the prize he 
sought. 

^^Bravo! bravo,” cried he, under his breath, as 
he caught up Lindsa’s hand, and shook it warmly, 
and heartily, ^^Glad to meet you.” Then turning 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


55 


again to Trachanzie: “How is it I find you in- 
dulging in this ^ Dolce far niente/ with no fair 
signora to claim your attention?” 

“The fact is, I am tired of pretty faces for the 
present at least,” Trachanzie returned with a slight, 
sensuous smile, a smile peculiar to him. “Do 
you know, Lucifer, I have not seen many pretty 
faces in Canada. Suppose we shall have to wait 
till we reach New York. Lindsa tells me that is the 
paradise of beautiful women.” 

“Ah! indeed,” iresponded Lucifer, with some- 
thing like a sardonic laugh; “I fancy Lindsa is 
right, though I don’t know, for I have never been 
in New York, but come, what say you? Shall 
we go to my rooms at the hotel, in the heart of the 
village, and try some cliquot? No one knows how 
to uncork a bottle better than myself, and no one, 
I am sure, can test the quality of the brand like 
Trachanzie, unless it is my brother, and he looks 
for all the world, as he stands leaning against 
that wall, as though he needed a stimulant to pull 
him together.” 

It was a very difficult thing just at that mo- 
ment for Lord Faunus to form words wherewith 
to answer Lucifer. He was by his side now. He 
could not say anything to him before his compan- 


^6 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


ions, so he simply tossed his head in the air, 
laughed a little, and mechanically followed Lindsa 
and Trachanzie to Lucifer’s luxurious apartments ; 
he also partook of the golden wine, which was deli- 
cious indeed. But all the (time he was in his 
brother’s presence, nothing lay before his vision 
but Audr^e’s pale face. When Trachanzie be- 
came inspired and began to play on Lucifer’s sweet- 
toned piano some of the maddest creations of Wag- 
ner, Lord Faunus beheld the sea tossing and 
tumbling her graceful form in wild confusion; 
and when the artist’s master fingers drifted 
as if by magic into the sweeter and more divine 
strains of Mozart, the sea seemed to cease its 
fury and subside into quietness, but as it did so, 
Audr^e’s face rose before him once more. He 
could see her just as he beheld her that night one 
year before, sinking lower and lower beneath the 
tranquil waves. The torture of the moment was 
intense. He raised his eyes to his brother’s pale 
face. Lucifer, with his quickness of perception, de- 
fined his very thoughts. Quickly he touched a lit- 
tle silver bell that stood on a table near by, and 
while an expression as dark as midnight clouded 
his face, a door at the further extremity of the 
room opened, and Fran9ois entered. For one mo- 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


57 


ment the three men stood and looked at him cu- 
riously as he advanced toward his master. Fran- 
cois paid no heed to any of them, only bowed his 
head before Lucifer, and waited for him to speak. 

^Wine, Francois, bring us more wine,’’ said Lu- 
cifer, ‘‘that we may laugh, sing, and be merry.” 

“Very well, monsieur,” said Francois in a 
strange, soft voice, and as he turned to leave the 
room he flashed a quick glance toward Lord Fau- 
nus. An instant later the door closed behind him, 
and my lord sank down in a chair very near his 
brother and asked: “Where did you come across 
so fine a lad to wait upon your every word ?” 

Lucifer turned his face toward Lord Argyle, and 
smiled, as he replied: “I cannot tell you where 
he came from. I only know he walked into my stu- 
dio in Paris one day about a year ago in answer 
to an advertisement I inserted in one of the news- 
papers for a valet. I engaged him right on the spot, 
for I liked him, and I assure you he is very val- 
uable to me. There is nothing hardly he cannot 
do ; he is mighty ambitious, and never seems to tire ; 
then, too, he is far above his position both in edu- 
cation, and intelligence.” 

Lord Faunus sat quite still after this, and 
thought of many strange things till Francois re- 


58 


FLAYED ON HEARTS. 


turned with different kinds of wine that would 
make them all so gay for a time and forget eyery 
unpleasant thing. His lordship started, and sud- 
denly rose from his chair when he heard the door 
open once more. Somehow, although he could 
not tell why, he did not care to meet again the 
flash of Francois’ wonderful, fiery, dark eyes. They 
had become a sort of dread to him and he felt 
actually relieved when he knew that Francois had 
gone. Then his whole aspect changed, a light 
came into his eyes, he smiled and became the life 
of the party. The wine flowed freely, and they 
laughed and joked together and sang songs while 
Trachanzie made the piano almost speak with its 
joyous music. What had come over the usually dig- 
nified Lord Faunus, none of them knew. Even 
Lucifer was surprised and said something to him 
in an undertone which caused his brother to make 
him this reply : ‘What is it Shakespeare said, Lu- 
cifer? Ah! yes, it is this: 

^Frame your mind to mirth and merriment 

Which bars a thousand harms and lengthens 
life.’” 

It was now toward the close of the afternoon 
but still they drank and laughed on, regardless 


FLAYED ON HEARTS. 


59 


of time, and night fell quietly before they knew 
it. Somehow the wine did not taste as pure as 
that which they had drunk on first entering the 
apartment and they noticed it, but still it was very 
seductive and they would not let it alone. Just 
before darkness fully set in, their minds became 
confused, their tongues grew thick, and their talk 
rambling and almost unintelligible, and when Fran- 
cois entered the room bearing an oil lamp in his 
hand and placed it on a table near the 
piano, the four men looked at him in such 
a strange manner that it made him smile, and say 
something about dinner, and the lateness of the 
hour. 

Suddenly Lucifer’s good humor changed into a 
passion fierce and swift. Throwing the small, ex- 
quisitely cut glass he held between his fingers upon 
the floor at Frangois’ feet, he cried: ^‘My God! 
who is it that I behold, wuth those wonderful, dark 
eyes? It cannot be, it cannot be.” 

^^Ah!” hissed Lord Faunus in his ears, see 
no one but your valet ; but his eyes are like — well, 
never mind who, for she is dead.” 

hlood is settled^ and her joints are stiff. 


60 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


^^Ha, ha!^’ laughed Lucifer, ‘‘it does me good to 
hear you say so.” 

“You are a rough one,” said his lordship as his 
face grew deadly pale, and with these words on 
his lips : “Poor women,” he sank back in an easy- 
chair and closed his eyes. 

“Poor women,” repeated Lucifer with a sneer 
on his lips. “How strangely and suddenly they 
come into our lives, then how they drift away 
from us and we are glad; and how utterly and 
completely we forget them. All men are alike in 
this respect, are they not?” he inquired of Tra- 
chanzie, who stood gazing in stupid wonder at the 
hundreds of little pieces of glass that lay at Fran- 
cois’ feet. 

The look of amazement on Lindsa’s countenance 
was ridiculous to behold. His eyes had suddenly 
assumed the shape of two white rubber balls. He 
was undergoing such a vigorous athletic exercise 
with his fine, silky moustache that it actually 
threatened to unfasten from his upper lip. 

In a moment or two Lucifer began to realize 
the state of confusion he had thrown these stran- 
gers into, and carelessly stooping down he drew 
a match across the heel of his boot and lighted 
a cigar. When he glanced at them again his face 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


61 


had brightened up like the sky after a storm has 
passed. Uncorking another bottle of wine, and 
with his cigar fastened firmly between his teeth, 
he filled Lord Faunus’ glass first, then he careless- 
ly touched him on the shoulder. My lord opened 
his eyes, took the glass from Lucifer’s hand, and 
drank once more to drown his busy memory. 
Neither Trachanzie nor Lindsa were sagacious 
enough in their natures to understand these tw ) 
brothers, so when they again attempted to speak 
and smile at one another they thought all was 
well between them. After partaking of a couple 
or more glasses of the golden stimulant, they be- 
came too indolent, and good-natured to even ques- 
tion the mood that had so suddenly overtaken Lu- 
cifer. 

So the moments passed on. What had come 
over them all? Lord Faunus lay back in his chair 
in a state of unconsciousness, while Trachanzie 
and Lindsa were stretched out on a divan at the 
farther end of the room locked in each other’s 
arms in a drunken stupor. Only Lucifer wandered 
about the room in a sort of bewildered condition. 
The wine had been drugged, but they did not know 
it. Frangpis stood in the middle of the apartment 
now, watching them all with a laugh and sneer 


62 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


that made the blood run cold in Lucifer’s veins. 
He had no power to stop him. Suddenly the dim 
light went out. In a moment or two it was 
burning again. Ftangois had vanished, but in his 
place stood a woman so divinely fair and beauti- 
ful, that Lucifer’s heart ceased beating as he 
watched her. He tried to touch her and call out 
but he could neither move or speak: he was com- 
pletely under her power and his body seemed like 
one paralyzed. There was no love in this woman’s 
eyes burning into his: they only glittered with 
hatred, bitter and cruel. Was he going- mad, or 
what was the matter with him, he wondered in a 
dazed sort of way. Slowly and with a hollow 
laugh, a voice he knew all too well was repeating 
these words in his ears: 

“She is dead. Yes, she is dead. Her blood is 
settled and her joints are stiff.” 

Only a second more she stood before him with 
the thinnest kind of drapery coiled around her 
form. A deadly fear had taken hold of him. Sure- 
ly his senses seemed to be going from him, but just 
as she slowly turned to leave the room, his voice 
came back to him and he cried: “It is she! Yes, 
it is she! or Audrde’s spirit come back to curse 
me for my crime!” Then he fell heavily to the 
floor like one dead. 


PLAYED on EEAETB, 


63 


CHAPTER VI. 

^^Here is a letter; read it at your leisure/^ 

After Lucifer fell to the floor a strange sleep 
overtook him and it lasted till eleven o^clock in 
the morning; when he was awakened by a loud 
knock at his chamber door and the sudden entrance 
of Frangois with a letter in his hand. 

“Why, bless you, monsieur,” said Frangois, 
with a bright smile, “do you know that it 
is eleven o’clock — almost time for your model to be 
here? A letter from her, I fancy,” he added as he 
handed a daintily tinted envelope to Lucifer, who 
now had risen in bed and was looking around the 
room as though in search of some one. 

Frangois smiled again when he said : “You must 
have heard the carriage roll down the street a mo- 
ment or so ago. Your friends have only just gone.” 

“No, I did not hear,” said Lucifer with a curious 
sinking at heart. This was surely a strange thing 
that had happened to them all, but his mind was 


64 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


still somewhat confused and he could hardly think. 
Suddenly he became very irritable and shrugging 
his shoulders he said something about being left 
alone another hour, and to say to his model when 
she called that he did not wish to see her for twen- 
ty days or more. Then he sank back, half faint- 
ing on the pillow. 

Francois drew himself away from Lucifer’s bed- 
side, and quickly withdrew from the room. He 
never lingered long by his master’s bedside when 
once he saw that strange dark look slowly spread- 
ing over his features; for it boded no good to any 
one and it made him feel more the evil thoughts 
that were swaying his master’s mind. After this 
Lucifer lay for an hour or more in perfect silence 
and rest. Then he rose, quietly dressed himself, 
and entered his studio. Gathering up his brushes 
and paints he placed them on a stand by the side 
of an easel, and drew up a chair, and sat down. 
Quickly snatching up a small paint brush, he drew 
it softly and carefully up and down the canvas 
that stood on an easel before him. The man him- 
self hardly knew what to do; his thoughts, how- 
ever, were traveling faster than the swiftest train 
on earth ; his heart beat high, his breath came and 
went like the swell of the sea when a storm has 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


65 


passed. His lips were dry and his eyes were fiery 
and restless. What inspiration had seized him? 
Suddenly, he threw away his brush and covered 
las face with his hands and cried aloud: 

^^Oh ! Fate, Fate ! Why are you so damnable in 
your cruelty and severity, and why are you always 
besetting man, causing him to do and say things 
that even time has no power to erase from the 
memory? Just one year ago to-night I was in my 
old stone house by the sea, in France. It was the 
last day I ever spent with the woman who truly 
worshipped me. Well do I remember it, but some- 
how I cannot realize how midnight followed or how 
Faunus happened to be with me or even how Au- 
dr^e lay so silently upon the water.” 

Kemoving his hands from his eyes he looked them 
over many times, then said through his tight, shut 
teeth : ^‘They are white enough and there are no 
stains of blood upon them either. How came such 
an event to happen in my life, I wonder? People 
think when I smile I am happy. Because I am 
successful, they little dream that the elements of 
strife and torture are scourging my heart and that 
the face of Audr^e is ever before me lashing my 
brain into madness by the unresting smile that 
dwelt on her lips as I last saw her. I wonder 


66 


PLAYED ON DEARTB. 


if I were to paint that scene on canvas, whether 
I could then forget her, and would that gray dome 
of sky and bright moon and millions of tiny spirits 
and the quiet sea beneath vanish from my mem- 
ory? At least I will try and see what effect this 
picture will have upon me. I will draw her beau- 
tiful, classic features as I last saw them, and the 
beautiful tresses and the white robe that clung des- 
perately to her statuesque form as Faunus saw 
her sink beneath the quiet waves. Then when I 
am done with her, I will paint the face and form 
of Helena Granville, the loveliest dark Southern 
beauty my eyes have ever rested upon. One pic- 
ture shall be called ‘Life,’ the other called ‘Death.’ ” 
Picking up his brush, Lucifer commenced his 
work and for twenty or more long days no one saw 
him but his valet. In those days he lived nearly 
a hundred years and upon canvas he drew a pic- 
ture so realistic that when his brush could do no 
more he started back in perfect horror, as with 
folded arms he gazed upon his work. His brain 
was tired when he drew a silken curtain across the 
face of “Death,” and “Life” seemed a task hardly 
worth undertaking when Audr^e’s classic features 
vanished from his view. Still he did not throw 
down his brush but placed a second canvas upon 


FLAYED ON HEARTS. 


another easel and untiringly and unceasingly did 
he work on till ^^Life’^ and “Death^^ stood side by 
side, in frames of gold. Lucifer was a great artist, 
he had painted many beautiful pictures that hung 
in palaces, salons, and magnificent homes. When 
^^Life” and ^^Death,’’ however, came into his mind 
and were completed and hung side by side upon 
the wall, even Lucifer stood for a moment and gazed 
in wonder upon the work his master fingers had 
wrought. His intelligent young valet was the first 
person he called to his side and he asked him 
in trembling tones to stand and look upon the two 
pictures, then tell him frankly what he thought 
of his work. Long w^ere the moments that Fran- 
9ois lingered critically before them with a visage 
ashen in its hue, twice did he cover his eyes as 
though to shut out some terrible sight. 

“My God! what is the matter?^’ cried Lucifer, as 
he caught hold of his arm and looked into his 
eyes for a moment The eyes of Francois glared 
at him with such a fiendish expression that it ac- 
tually made the blood run cold in his veins. Quick- 
ly he dropped hold of the valets arm. Francois 
put forth his hand to clutch the white robe that 
encircled the body of Audr^e as though to pull her 
back to life again; but as he did so a wave seemed 


68 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


to sweep over her form and for a second or two 
she was lost to his view and nothing but the bright, 
smiling moon greeted his vision. 

^‘It isfhorrible, yet wonderful, wonderful cried 
he under his breath as he turned his eyes upon 
^^Life.” Helena, so beautiful with midnight wavy 
hair, stood leaning against the gray stone wall of 
St. Agnes Convent. Her large, dark eyes were 
raised to the old gilded cross on the chapel faintly 
shining in the background. She appeared to be 
listening to the chimes as they floated in the air 
over her head. Still there was no smile on her lips, 
for Lucifer could not limn the pictures of his ideals 
to smile. In both paintings the shades and color- 
ings were exquisite in their harmony and beauty, 
and Frangois’ heart beat like the hammer of a 
forge in true appreciation of such prodigious art. 

At last Francois turned slowly around and said : 
^^Is it not curious, monsieur, that Byron’s words 
rush through my brain when I turn my eyes from 
the picture of ‘Life’ to that of ‘Death’? Ah! mon- 
sieur, the sky is changed : and such a change ! Oh, 
night and storm and darkness, ye are wondrous 
strong, yet lovely in your strength, as the light of 
a dark eye in woman.” 

After this there was a long, painful silence. Lu- 


PLAYED ON EEAETS. 


69 


cifer thought Francois would never speak again. 
At last, however, the stillness was broken when he 
placed his hand upon the artist’s shoulder and said : 
^^Yes, she is very beautiful, but how sad she looks ; 
although you love her she is not yours yet.” 

‘^But she shall be mine, Francois. No other 
than myself shall ever fascinate Helena. I shall 
weave my spells, excite her interest, and attract 
her passions like no one else has ever done.” 

‘‘Have you no fear of a rival, monsieur?” 

“None whatever,” laughed Lucifer, rather un- 
easily. 

“Let me tell you,” said Francois with a curious 
smile that Lucifer did not like, “the days will 
come and the days will go but you will paint no 
more pictures. Your work in this line is done 
forever, for all others drawn after these would 
sink away like the paleness of the moon before the 
brightness of the sun. Your life is imbedded in 
these two pictures, for look at ‘Death,’ she will 
not give you back your free heart again to do 
with as you like. She will follow ‘Life’ and ‘Life’ 
will unconsciously call forth the love and worship 
you should have given to the one who lost all for 
you and who lies so still upon the mighty sea.” 

“My God! my God!” Lucifer cried in terror. 


70 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


^Tell me what you know of me and why you read 
those pictures like the pages of a book?” 

Frangois’ hand fell slowly away from Lucifer’s 
shoulder and stepping a little aside he replied as 
a strange smile illumined his handsome, but slight- 
ly scared face: ‘What do I know of you, good 
monsieur? Ha, ha! I know that you are almost 
a madman and your face is haggard, and the rings 
under your eyes are black and your brain an<l 
body weary for the want of rest. Come, let me 
open your window, so that you may throw away 
your brushes and paints, for you will never use 
them again.” 

“Never use them again?” Lucifer repeated. 
“How singular, Frangois. Think you, lad, I couhl 
exist without work — for it is work and work alone 
that crushes the seeds of madness that live in 
a strong, passionate nature like mine.” But all 
the while he was speaking, for some strange and 
unaccountable reason, he was gathering up his 
brushes and paints till his arms were full to over- 
flowing. Lucifer believed in Ailing up with either 
work or play every moment of the present, for he 
could not read his future and it did not trouble 
him much. He never knew when Frangois raised 
his window or when the paints and brushes fell 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


71 


from his hands. His brain was tired and nature 
suddenly gave way. Hardly before they lay scat- 
tered and broken upon the pavement below, Lu- 
cifer Argyle, the most celebrated artist of his day, 
lay in an unconscious state at the feet of his valet. 
Shakespeare was right when he said: 

^^Jiat men dare do. 

What men may do 

What men daily do 

Not knowing what they do.^^ 



PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


7 ^ 


CHAPTER VII. 

^^Eis drumming heart cheers up his burning eye, 
His eye commands the leading to his hand,” 

When Lucifer awoke again to consciousness he 
lay stretched upon a dainty bed in his luxurious 
chamber. Luxury of the very highest kind always 
surrounded him, no matter where he went, for he 
would have it so. Although the month was July, 
and an unusually warm one at that, an extra cover- 
let made of the finest furs was thrown across the 
foot of his bed. On opening his eyes the first thing 
he did was to raise himself on his elbow and glance 
leisurely around the room. Apparently everything 
seemed to please him ; the rich hangings were parted 
so that he could look into his studio, and he smiled 
as he saw the sunlight playing on the frames of his 
two pictures. Suddenly, while Lucifer rested in 
this position, he raised his eyes to the face of his 
valet, who stood by his bedside, and said : 


FLAYED ON HEARTS. 


73 


am tired no longer, Francois, for I have had 
such a long rest. Let me see, how many hours have 
I been lying here?’^ 

‘^Hours?” Frangois repeated, as a curious smile 
flitted across his delicate features, “rather say days, 
for they have been three in number now since you 
have been here.” 

^^Mon Dieu, what a waste of time !” cried Lucifer, 
as he let his head fall back again on the pillow. 
“After all, what does it matter? It has certainly 
been a change, and I feel thoroughly rested and 
ready to begin again. Francois, hand me a glass of 
wine; then help me to a hot bath. They will be the 
greatest luxuries in the world to me just now.” 

After F'rangois had done his master^s bidding, he 
dressed him in an elegant robe. Then spreading the 
fur coverlet over the bed Lucifer threw himself 
down upon it with an easy, contented smile. Fran- 
cois scattered books and papers in wild confusion 
all around him, then said : 

“Although the day is considerably advanced, I 
will go now, monsieur, and soon bring you in a 
tempting breakfast, which I hope will make you 
feel more buoyant and ready to enjoy communion 
with the world once more.” 

The eyes of Lucifer were fastened curiously, and 


74 


T CAY ED ON HEARTS, 


almost tenderly, upon his valet as he spoke. Fran- 
cois’ eyes sank beneath his glance, and a warm, red 
flush quickly overspread his cheeks as he hurried 
from the room. When the door had closed behind 
him, Lucifer said aloud : 

^^It may be an unpardonable sin, but I almost 
love that lad, and I feel like doing something for 
him. I wonder if there is anything in the world he 
would like to become better than what he is? I will 
ask him when he returns. No, I do not think I will 
just now, for I need him. He must not leave me at 
present, for he is clever, and may be of great use to 
me at no distant day. I fancy he would be a cun- 
ning spy, and would be careful and cautious in any 
undertaking.” 

Here Lucifer paused, for the cravings of nature 
were not to be withstood, and he began to long for 
the return of Frangois, who, just at that moment, 
reappeared with as tempting and delicious a meal 
as ever was set before a king. Lucifer partook of it 
with intense relish, and greatly amused Frangois 
with these lines while he ate : 

may live without poetry, music and art; 

We may live without conscience, and live without 
heart; 


PLAYED ON BE ARTS. 


75 


W e may live without friends ^ we may live without 
hooks; 

But civilized man cannot live without cooks. 

^^He may live without hooks, what is knowledge 
hut grieving? 

He may live without hope, what is hope hut deceiv- 
ing? 

He may live without love, what is passion hut pin- 
ing? 

But where is the man that can Uve without dining?^’ 

After his meal was completed he threw himself 
carelessly on his bed once more, and soon found 
himself getting drowsy. It was one of those deli- 
cious moments in life when man likes to think 
pleasant thoughts, then gradually let them drift 
away into nothingness as his eyelids slowly drooi>. 
A monient later found him fast asleep. 

It was a good, dreamless sleep, and Lucifer awoke 
from it physically rested. It was early in the after- 
noon when he appareled himself in a fine dark suit, 
then seated himself in a large easy-chair by an open 
window, and with a newspaper and a cigar whiled 
away a very pleasant hour. Francois was a most 
excellent servant; he never remonstrated with his 


76 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


master about anything. If Lucifer had decided to 
take a trip to the moon Francois would have said 
nothing. Perhaps he would have smiled and tried 
to point out a road by which he could make an easy 
ascent; further than this he was by far too politic 
to oppose his master in any way. 

It was nearly four o’clock when a soft rap was 
heard upon the door. Frangois immediately an- 
swered it, and greatly to Lucifer’s surprise Pietro _ 
Trachanzie rather unceremoniously rushed into the 
room and seized Lucifer’s hand. 

‘Well, well, mon ami/’ he cried, “right glad am 
I to see you again. But tell me, what in the world 
have you been up to for the last month or more? I 
called here once before, and I was informed by your 
unusually well groomed valet that you were in close 
confinement, and your friends were obliged to wait 
till you had finished some great work before they 
could catch even as much as a glimpse of you. Do 
you know, it is now July. The last time I saw you 
was in June. By Jove! how time flies,” rattled he. 
“Lord Faunus and Lindsa have been enjoying the 
bracing sea air for the last four weeks.” 

“Why are you not with them?” put in Lucifer, the 
moment Trachanzie paused for breath. 

“It is all because I have been waiting to take my 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


77 


cousin Zondola Traville on with me. To-morrow we 
are going to leave Canada to join friends at the sea 
shore. By the way, some old friends of yours, Luci- 
fer, Lord and Lady Linbrook, are going to join us 
to-morrow. We all expect to leave Canada before 
the sun sets, and a glorious old time we shall have 
before the summer ends. A word to you now in se- 
cret,” said Trachanzie, very low, as he bent over the 
artist. ‘^CanT you come, too, Lucifer, and worship 
at the shrine of beauty and purity? Let your old 
passions die out and allow your new love to rapidly 
mature beneath the fervid warmth of Helena 
Granville’s lovely dark eyes. Come, Lucifer, be- 
fore your brother has time to steal her heart away.” 

^^My brother !” cried Lucifer, as he sprang to his 
feet. ^^It is not possible that she could love him. 1 
have never even thought of such a thing as her 
caring for him in any way !” 

^‘Nothing is impossible,” said Trachanzie. “So 
come, Lucifer, and come as soon as you can, for I 
am quite sure she will fancy Lord Argyle, and have 
many other suitors besides, and her smile will set 
all their hearts in motion. If I were not engaged 
to marry Zondola, who, after all is the only woman 
for me, I could love Helena myself, and love her to 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


IS 

distraction; but she would never care for me, so 1 
am not going to waste any time in that direction.’- 

^‘You are engaged to marry Zondola Traville?” 
said Lucifer, in some astonishment, while an 
amused smile played around his eyes and mouth. 

^^Yes,” returned Trachanzie. Here they were in- 
terrupted by the entrance of Francois, who quickly 
thrust a card in Lucifer’s hand, then casting his 
eyes upon the floor waited to hear what he would 
say. 

‘‘Ye Gods ! She has come. I will see her.” A light 
laugh rang through the room, as Lucifer waved 
Frangois, with a graceful though imperious ges- 
ture, from his presence. 

“I will go now,” said Trachanzie. 

“Wait a moment,” said Lucifer, “you need not 
hurry away. Stay and meet Miss Traville. Is she 
not a cousin of yours, and a great admirer of my 
pictures?” 

“Indeed,” said Trachanzie, in some surprise. “I 
was not aware you were acquainted with her.” 

A warm blush mounted to his brow, when Lucifer 
laughed again and replied : 

“I had not been in this plac6 three days when she 
came to see me with one of the Sisters at St. Agnes.” 

“Well,” said Trachanzie, “I can only say Zondola 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


79 


is young, independent, and very rich. She is, as 
you know, not held a prisoner at St. Agnes Con- 
vent.” 

prisoner ! I should say not,” returned Lucifer. 

‘^This is, however, the first knowledge I have had 
of your acquaintance,” continued Trachanzie, ‘^and 
to learn she is waiting in the parlor below at this 
very moment, waiting for the permission that will 
afford her more glances at your face than at your 
pictures, I fancy, quite takes my breath away.” 

do not see why it should,” said Lucifer, 
‘ffhough I candidly confess I had no idea she was 
your fiancde.” 

Trachanzie laughed good naturedly, while Luci- 
fer carelessly turned and took a long survey at his 
singularly attractive person in the mirror that 
adorned the wall. Lucifer laughed, too, but rather 
cynically, as he said, after a moment or two : 

^ ^^Isn’t it curious, Trachanzie, how foolish women 
are?” 

don’t know, Lucifer, just what you mean by 
calling women foolish, unless they are foolish to 
fall in love with you. But, tell me, where is the one 
you can trust?” 

Verily, Trachanzie, that is a question that must 
remain unanswered, for a time at least. It is not 


80 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


possible, however, you ‘have forgotten that I met 
your cousin first in London, a year or more ago, at 
that great ball the Duchess of Marlborough gave.’’ 

^^Oh, yes,” said Trachanzie, do remember now. 
All London talked of it for a time.” 

^‘It was a stupid thing,” said Lucifer, “with its 
many fat dowagers and boorish husband-hunting 
naids. No pretty little demoiselles there to while 
away the time with, more’s the pity. That was, 
however, nothing like the ball that was given at 
Divine Lawn by those swell foreign people. Prince 
and Princess Makeup, or something like that. Do 
you remember them?” 

“Yes, yes,” said Trachanzie, and he laughed, this 
time quite heartily. 

After a hasty survey of the room, Lucifer said : 

“Why don’t you sit down and make yourself com- 
fortable?” 

\ 

For a moment an awkward silence fell between 
them, and they both looked at the door as a quick, 
soft rap was heard. 

Lucifer hastened to open it, and it was not long 
before he was holding both of his fair guest’s hands 
within his own, and saying the sweetest and most 
courteous things, while her cheeks burned and her 
eyes sparkled with pleasure as she smiled up into 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


81 


his face. This was more than Trachanzie could 
stand. Quickly he rose from the chair which he had 
taken as he heard the soft rap on the door. She 
had not seen him till now, and her face changed 
the color of death. Lucifer turned his head slightly 
when he saw how this unexpected meeting between 
the two who had long ago pledged their lives into 
each other^s keeping affected them, for this was 
truly the one woman that Trachanzie loved, and he 
never even dreamed she cared for the artist till he 
saw her mouth quiver and her cheeks flush when 
he held her hands, and how, when she saw him, it 
quite took her breath away, but after a second, how- 
ever, she was equal to the occasion. She soon made 
him blind to the fact that she had come on any er- 
rand but that of looking at, or purchasing one of his 
new pictures. After this all went pleasantly enough 
between them for many moments. Suddenly Tra- 
chanzie caught hold of Lucifer’s arm and cried : 

“Look here, friend, I had forgotten till this mo- 
ment, I must go, for I find I am not too late to keep 
my appointment with George Griffin, an old pub- 
lisher, who, with his wife and two daughters, are 
making a tour of Canada and the United States.” 

“Then hasten,” said Lucifer. “Keep your ap- 
pointment with Griffin, and I will take care of your 


^2 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


cousin meanwhile. I will show her my latest works, 
while you are, it may be, settling on a goodly sum 
for your latest song. I will interest her in every 
way I can, and also insure you her safety till you 
return.” 

‘‘Thanks, good friend, I shall not be gone more 
than an hour at the most. If Zondola is willing, 1 
will then return and take her back to the convent.” 
But there was a mournful little break in his sweet 
voice when he added : “How Sister Superior would 
censure me, though, if she were to learn I had com- 
mitted the fault of leaving Zondola alone with you 
for one whole hour.” 

“I don’t see why she should,” responded Lucifer, 
as he cast a side glance at Zondola. Then taking one 
of Trachanzie’s hands within his, he said, with the 
blandest smile possible: 

“Have no fear, friend, she will be perfectly safe 
with me.” 

After this Trachanzie exchanged a few low words 
with Zondola, then hurriedly took his departure. 

Lucifer turned to Zondola when the door had 
closed behind Trachanzie and said as he took both 
her hands again : 

“I know not that I am wise in asking you if 
you love your cousin.” 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


83 


am not sure,” she replied, ‘‘but I do know I 
have promised to marry him as soon as I am 
through with my studies.” 

“Why haven^t you told me this before, Zondo- 
la?” 

“I could not,” she replied. 

He paused, and quietly surveyed her from head 
to foot. Very peculiar was the character of the 
glance which he bestowed upon the lovely outlines 
of her perfect figure. Finally he put his arm around 
her waist and said : 

“You are a perfect figure, Zondola, and you have 
been my model for many months. What if your 
cousin were to know?” 

“He will never know,” she quickly said, as she 
looked wildly and pleadingly at him. 

“No, he will never know,” returned Lucifer, and 
he drew a deep sigh as if suddenly relieved. 


84 PLAYED ON HEARTS. 

9 


CHAPTER VIII. 

^^Few love to hear the sim they love to act.’’ 

If women had only known what an inconstant 
being Lncifer was, they would not have lost either 
their heads or hearts over him; but after all how 
were they to know; when he treated for a time 
each and every young and beautiful woman with 
whom he happened to come in contact as though 
he adored her and her alone? He never car- 
ried a frigid air in the presence of women, there- 
fore, they almost invariably caught hold of his 
arm instead of the hand he never failed to hold 
out to them, and when he smiled and looked into 
their eyes with a deep, admiring glance, they did 
not know how to throw aside his vigorous, in- 
ordinate passion. They were not skilled in his 
ways and knew nothing of his two-sided nature 
or how his heart could grow cold even while he 
smiled and fascinated. Zondola Traville did not 
seek to resist his marvelous attractions. She, like 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


85 


every one else, at sight of him forgot in an instant 
all the evil that was said of him as some invisible 
power chained her to his feet. She, too, smiled 
and in a most bewitching manner murmured: 
''Thank you,” in a quiet, low and dulcet tone, so 
often heard among the high born Italians. 

"Zondola, I am more than glad,” Lucifer said. 
"Yes, even delighted to see you to-day. No one 
will even dream how I have longed to behold your 
face while I sat here day after day, working over 
two pictures that cost me many days of utter un- 
consciousness, but I knew all the time, that if 
you had been near me, I would never have accom- 
plished anything.” 

"Is it possible?” she returned, while the blood 
mounted to her brow and her eyes flashed fire 
over those honeyed, untruthful words. "It is well 
that I was not here,” she tried to say more to him 
but just then she could not, for the intensity of 
his gaze confused her, and his powerfully mag- 
netic nature overwhelmed her. There was the 
least perceptible quiver about her mouth and a 
lovely fiush was on her cheeks, which made her 
more than handsome, as he stood holding her 
hands and thinking of nothing else in this world 
at that moment but his art. His face was a great 


86 


'PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


study, but it was by far too complex for her to 
fathom — at last, bending very low over her, he said 
in a voice as sweet as Dame Nature ever bestowed 
upon mortal: 

^^Your gown is very beautiful, Zondola, and how 
well your dressmaker understands bringing out 
all your best points, even as well as the artist.” 

His smile as he spoke set her heart to beating 
wildly. 

^^This is but a simple dress,” she said in waver- 
ing tones, ^^but I thought the color would please 
you.” 

^^It is the simple garments,” he returned, ^^that 
are the most difficult to arrange, but they become 
a handsome woman better than showy ones. Now 
come, Zondola, I will show you my latest works, 
and I want you to tell me truly what you 
think of them.” 

shall be only too happy,” she said with a 
charming blush. Then she thought, ‘^How sweet the 
name of Zondola sounds coming from his lips.” 

Quickly she drew her hand across her eyes and 
started, then smiled. She stepped a short distance 
away from his side, and from the folds of her soft, 
gray gown brought to light something that looked 
like gold and held it toward him. Her eyes, full 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


87 


of life and passion, were fixed upon his face as she 
stood in a graceful attitude, and he wondered why 
it was that women loved him so well and were will- 
ing to forget everything for a passing fancy, a 
moment’s gratification. His thoughts were swift 
ly taking flight from her when she brought them 
back again by saying : 

“Allow me to present you this little gold cruci- 
fix.” 

It was most exquisitely made, and his eyes shone 
with a strange light when he took it from her 
fingers. He placed it in the palm of his right hand 
and looked at it steadily for many moments, then 
suddenly began to frown in a curious and indescrib- 
able manner, as he repeated : “This little gold cru- 
cifix,” then with one of his irresistible smiles, he 
added: “To whom, pray, am I indebted for this 
sweet offering?” 

“Sister Superior, one of the best and sweetest 
women in the world,” Zondola replied. “It was 
she, who, if you remember, bought last 
year, in Paris, your picture called ^The Ascension.’ 
It is one of the most beautiful paintings I ever 
saw. The Sister admires it because the face is so 
pure and sweet. She said that no one could draw 
a face like that but a thoroughly bad man.” 


88 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


^What?” exclaimed Lucifer in genuine surprise, 
was cruel of her to say such a thing,” she 
continued, ^^nevertheless, she thought she was 
right. Soon after purchasing the painting, she 
sent to Italy, her native land, and had a crucifix 
made; a strange fancy to be sure, but if you will 
observe it closely you will discover something of 
the same expression as our Savior wears in the 
picture of the ^Ascension.’ You do not know, of 
course,” Zondola indiscreetly resumed, (a fault of 
so many of her sex) ^^that Sister Superior made this 
remark also: 

‘Lucifer Argyle painted the picture of our Sav- 
ior while there was not one drop of religious sen- 
timent circulating through his veins, and he also 
drew His pure features and sweet expression while 
his soul was steeped in sin.’ ” 

“That is quite enough,” said Lucifer, with some 
emotion, as he laid his hand on her shoulder. Un- 
der his breath, however, he muttered, “Many a 
word of truth is spoken at random.” Then in low, 
deep and musical tones that added so much to the 
charm of his manner with women, he looked 
straight into her eyes and said: 

“Tell me, did Sister Superior say nothing good 
about me, at all?” 


TLAYED ON BEAUTS. 


89 


While he asked this question with a smile on his 
lips, way down in his heart there was a slow, hot, 
passionate fire burning, and he almost cursed the 
Sister for the words she had uttered. Still he 
knew they were all too trua He had painted ‘^The 
Ascension” while the seeds of murder were ripen- 
ing in his soul, and he had put the last stroke 
upon it the morning after he had committed the 
most terrible deed of his life; and Audr^e’s body, 
as he believed, had not been lost in the mighty deep 
more than two weeks, when all Europe was sound- 
ing the praises of Lucifer’s work. 

There is a sympathetic answering chord in all 
great natures, no matter how severe or perverted 
their temperaments may be, and Sister Superior 
always felt when she stood before the wonderful 
painting, which it was her good fortune to own, that 
the artist had suffered agonies untold while he 
drew the soft, delicate folds of the Savior’s gar- 
ments about him. Why she felt thus she could 
not tell. Perhaps in her own nature the elements 
of passion and bitterness were at war with Divin- 
ity. Who can tell? After she came in possession 
of the painting, however, a great desire came over 
her somehow to remember the artist who could fill 
her soul with wonder and awaken more than a 


90 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


passing fancy in work such as his; so she sent to 
Italy and had the little crucifix made, determined 
in her mind, if ever the opportunity presented it- 
self, that Lucifer should receive it as a token of 
regard; for she wished him to know how she ap- 
preciated his great talent. To say the least, Lu- 
cifer was pleased with the good Sister’s attention, 
and once more turning the gold over in his hand, 
he said to Zondola, in order to break the awk- 
ward silence that had settled down upon them 
since his last question : 

^^You need not answer me now, but instead, tell 
Sister Superior by this thoughtful remembrance 
she has done me great honor, also say to her that 
it shall lie next to my heart all the rest of the 
days of my life ” 

But hark! what was that terrible noise that 
made them both start and turn pale to the lips 
and glare at each other as though some fearful 
warning voice had spoken to them from some other 
world? 

Lucifer forgot the little gold crucifix and every- 
thing else in the moment of excitement. It fell 
from his hand to the fioor, where it lay at his feet 
sparkling in the sunlight like a drop of water that 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


91 


vanishes almost as quickly as it comes, and is 
never thought of more. 

Zondola recovered herself first and seizing one 
of Lucifer^s cold hands, she cried, as she pointed 
to one side of the studio: 

“Why, it is nothing after all but the fall of a 
picture that has startled us.” 

Just at that moment as Zondola was speaking 
he turned and saw Frangois standing at his side. 
He also saw him bend over and pick something 
from the floor. He, however, thought nothing 
of that, for his eyes rested on a telegram his valet 
held in his hand. Seizing the message quickly, he 
cried as he tore it open : 

“Thank God! it is nothing more than a fall of 
a picture that has made my heart stand still.” 

It did not take him long to discover that the 
cord had unfastened from “Life” and that she lay 
face downward upon the floor. 

“What a crash it made in falling,” said Zondola 
as she left his side, kneeling down beside the 
picture. With great difficulty she turned it over. 
Meantime Lucifer was devouring the contents of 
the telegram. It was from Trachanzie, saying 
that it would be impossible for him to return and 
requesting Lucifer not to detain Zondola a mo- 


9 ^ 


FLAYED ON HEARTS. 


ment over an hour from the time he was forced to 
leave them alone together. 

Zondola only laughed and shrugged her shoul- 
ders like a willful schoolgirl when Lucifer read 
aloud this message from her cousin. Just at this 
moment, too, a painful cry of surprise escaped her 
lips. 

“You laugh, then cry,” said Lucifer. “Zondola, 
tell me what is the matter?” 

She did not seem to hear him so intent was she 
on the picture of the face lying on the floor in front 
of her. 

Madonna mia! how beautiful, how beautiful,” 
she exclaimed. “No one but a madman though 
and a madman in love, could paint a picture like 
this.” 

An instant later she stood on her feet looking 
at him, so coldly and freezingly contemptuous, that 
he could feel all her scorn and jealousy. 

“I thought, I thought,” she cried, “that in these 
few months, at least, you loved me, and me alone.” 

“Zondola, hear me,” said he. “Had you been my 
own sister and not my own sweet, yielding and per- 
fect model I could not have loved you more, but 
certainly you did not expect the absolute surren- 
der of myself, or an entire and utter devotion, 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


93 


when you were, and have been all the time, en- 
gaged to your cousin, although I knew it not un- 
til very recently. But tell me, Zondola, has our 
love been less sweet that it was stolen 

Now his arm was wound around her and her 
head lay on his breast; a passion of tears soon fol- 
lowed, and they somewhat relieved her not over- 
scrupulous heart. 

At last she looked up into his face and said: 

^^All those long, weary weeks you kept me awa^ 
from you, you were painting the face of the wom- 
an I hate. Only think of it, and how, when you 
were through, you hung the picture where you 
could feast your eyes upon it in your waking hours. 
Many and many a time,” she continued, “I have 
stood and watched Helena Granville leaning 
against the convent wall just like that. (Pointing 
down at the picture.) Her beauty is indeed mar- 
velous and your work is perfect, but take warning, 
Lucifer, my lady’s heart is of stone and she will 
never go mad with love or drink of passion so 
that she will forget all else on earth but one man.” 

She ceased and with glowing cheeks and eyes 
ablaze she looked up into Lucifer’s face and he 
stood spellbound, holding his arms tightly about 
her, drinking eagerly every word she spoke. She 


04 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


trembled all over when she placed her hand on 
his cheek, and said: 

^^You must release me at once, Lucifer, unless 
you tell me how you came to know Helena and what 
she is to you, and how you came to draw her fea- 
tures so divinely.” 

A hot, painful flush mounted to his brow as 
he made her this reply: 

^^Ah! Zondola, you are all too serious. But 
if you care to know, I met Helena Granville in 
Paris a little over a year ago. Our acquaintance 
is less than nothing; a few commonplace words is 
all we ever exchanged, but when you ask me why 
her face has made an impression on my heart, I 
cannot answer you any more than tell why the 
world was made for human beings to inhabit for 
a short time only, or even why beautiful women 
were made to beguile the soul of man and lead him 
into all kinds of temptations and sins.” 

^‘Well,” said Zondola, “if that is all you know 
of Helena Granville it is very little. I do thor- 
oughly dislike her, though, and all because you 
worship her beauty.” 

Here was a long pause in their conversation, 
while Zondola dried her eyes and sighed. Luci- 


FLAYED ON HEARTS. 


95 


fer looked very savage, but after a time his face 
grew brighter and he said : 

“I know of no law, Zondola, which forbids man 
and woman from loving each other, do you?” 

She raised her eyes very near to his lips, mur- 
muring : 

^^No. Now do you forgive me this little display 
of weakness, Lucifer, and I will never be so fool- 
ish again.” 

“I will forgive you anything,” said he, with a 
subtle smile, ^‘if you can tell me there is not a 
mark or dent upon that picture.” 

She left his arms reluctantly and bent over it. 
After a moment she said: 

“No, there is not a mark or dent upon it, in fact, 
it may fall a hundred times and it will never be 
injured in any way.” 

“How is that?” he inquired as a red streak 
flashed through his eyes. 

For some strange reason, known only to her- 
self, she made no further remark concerning 
the matter. She stood leaning against a chair that 
was very near Lucifer, with her great, black eyes 
raised to his. Her skin, although dark, was very 
clear, and now there were bright red spots of ex- 
citement upon it. Her features were soft, but well 


96 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


defined, her hair was as black as jet; her nature 
was heedless, impulsive and full of passion and 
animosity. Lucifer read all this at a glance, yet 
she was by no means disagreeable to him, that 
is, when her antagonism was not aroused. They 
were quite alone, for Francois had long ago left 
the room ; they were alone, as they had been many 
a time before, unbeknown to anyone save Luci- 
fer’s valet. Zondola’s schooldays were practical- 
ly ended, the sisters allowed her many privileges 
the other young women w^ere denied, they trusted 
her to go and come at her will. They knew noth- 
ing, and little dreamed of her secret meetings with 
the artist. Zondola was one of those daughters 
of Eve who believed that there is a time for every- 
thing: A time to love, and a time to pray, and 
at times she honestly believed that a humble suppli- 
cation before the image of the Virgin Mary would 
make her sins appear as nothing in the face of 
Heaven. It had been many a month Lucifer and 
she had carried on these secret meetings and 
Zondola’s eyes had too often brightened un- 
der the spell of his delirious and dangerous man- 
ner. Now while they stood looking at each other 
her heart realized all in one brief moment the im- 
port of her sin, but that indescribable something 


PLAYED ON BEAUTS. 


97 


that often comes to mortals in their waking hours 
and in just such stolen moments as these some- 
thing Zondola could not define and had never 
known till she met Lucifer, infiuenced her once 
more to yield to his pleadings and passionate ca- 
resses; all the time, however, she was murmuring 
under her breath : wonder if I really love Lu- 

cifer Argyle. It must be, else why does my heart 
beat so.” And as human nature is as uncertain 
and unstable as the wind that blows, it cannot be 
wondered at that when Lucifer wildly drew her 
to his breast, she dropped her head upon his shoul- 
der to hide the light of passion that had suddenly 
turned her cheeks like snow. At first an amused 
smile began to play around his cruel mouth, and 
he thought : 

^‘If women will persist in throwing away their 
affection on such a heartless individual as I, they 
must bear the consequence of their own folly.” At 
the same time a strange recklessness seized him 
as it always did when in the presence of a beauti- 
ful and fascinating woman. His clasp was so 
strong and passionate that Zondola became ac- 
tually alarmed as she tried to free herself from 
his arms. 

The bare knowledge of the fact that she could 


18 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


be bis at call at once aroused in him a strange 
and unholy desire. Instantly his heart began to 
heave and roll like the restless sea. For a second 
only he loathed himself and was tempted to give 
her good advice, and send her on her way back to 
the good sisters at St. Agnes Convent, with her 
face unruffled by emotion and guilty thoughts, but 
it was only for a moment, then that mysterious 
tempting spirit, who is always deriding human 
nature with its seemingly harmless grimaces and 
seductive manners said: ^^You know of no other 
life but this, Lucifer Argyle, why not get all the 
good you can out of it?” It is curious, indeed, 
that this voice has such a charm for the young, 
as well as the old and susceptible, yet it is so, and 
Lucifer and Zondola swayed under its powerful 
influence. When, however, he tried to speak to her 
again, his voice was hoarse and almost brutal. She 
did not seem to notice this or to hear him. She 
was so happy in his arms, and when he whispered 
wildly in her ears : ^^Cease, cease, my darling, to 
struggle against the feeling that has taken pos- 
session of your heart for me, for I love you, I 
love you—” (a slip of that unruly member, the 
tongue) ^^and as long as we Understand each other 
let there be peace between us.” 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


99 


Then he laughed, when for an instant she eyed 
him with a peculiar expression, half distrust, and 
half love. Then she cast her eyes downward, and 
his laugh like his voice began to sound in hej 
ears like a chime of silvery bells. She was walk- 
ing under the shadow of a sweet delusion for a brief 
time at least, and who knows and who can tell, 
but at that very moment she was striving for the 
right, but alas! somehow, the lower round of life 
overcame her better nature and she sank helpless 
and like one intoxicated deeper into Lucifer’s em- 
brace. 

Once more a smile parted his lips, disclosing 
his glittering white teeth, and in his half closed 
eyes there lurked a dangerous passion as he re- 
garded the almost motionless body in perfect si- 
lence. Then he removed her head from his breast 
and gently lifted her in his arms and laid her 
down among the soft and highly perfumed cush- 
ions that adorned a white and gold couch near at 
hand. Zondola now found herself facing a pas- 
sion that was surprising in its recklessness. 
Shadows began to dance frantically before her 
while Lucifer called to Francois to bring him 
wine so that they might drink, and be happier 
still, and think the world well lost for one mo- 
fLcfC. 


100 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


ment of perfect bliss. He knew, or thought 
he did, that he was perfectly safe, for Tra- 
chanzie was not coming back again that day. 
After Frangois brought him wine, Lucifer 
bade him bar the door and hasten away, 
so he might be alone with this lovely, volup- 
tuous creature. After Zondola had drunk a few 
glasses of champagne, shadows again began to 
dance frantically before her and thoughts like ar- 
rows flew in wild confusion through her brain. 
Her heart nearly beat to madness when Lucifer 
placed his cold, electric fingers upon her flesh. 
Once again, she experienced with him that meas- 
ure of happiness a year before she never 
even dreamed could possibly be hers. Her 
long, dark tresses had loosened and fell in purple 
ripples, around her snow-white shoulders. As 
Lucifer feasted his eyes upon her perfect 
charms, she did indeed seem very precious to 
him. He actually forgot for a time he 
had ever had another lovei in the world. Zon- 
dola also forgot in her passion for Lucifer that 
she was pledged to another. They did not notice 
the seconds or even moments as the hands on the 
face of the clock, that stood on one side of the 
room, directly opposite to them, went quickly 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


101 


around. They took no count of time, neither did 
they notice how dark everything in the room had 
suddenly become, or how curious shadows were 
slowly gathering in the studio. They were not 
the shadows of evening, for the afternoon had not 
yet spent all its glory. The shades were close- 
ly drawn, and shut out every particle of sun- 
light. 

They had not been there very long when, just 
as Zondola called for her fourth glass of wine, a 
most woeful human groan followed by these words 
was distinctly heard by them both: 

no fear, friend, she will he perfectly safe 
with me.’’ 


102 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


CHAPTER IX. 

^^She 'burned vnth lore^ as straws with fire burn- 
eth.” 

She burned out love as soon as straw out burn- 
ethf’ 

Lucifer’s arms fell away from Zondola’s yield- 
ing, voluptuous form and a wild, frightened look 
flashed from his eyes as he quickly sprang upon 
his feet. Some superhuman power turned his eyes 
toward the picture of ^^Death.” Was he going 
mad, or was it only a fancy? The light of the 
bright afternoon for a moment streamed through 
the windows, then came darkness, and with dark- 
ness pictures of the past, picture after picture. 
All the long and short scenes of his life, it seemed 
to him, then flitted rapidly before him, and all 
the time the murmur of a woman’s loving tones 
sounded in his ears while her face looked awful- 
ly white and terror-stricken; then came the still- 
ness of the treacherous ocean, followed by a wild 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


103 


piercing shriek, which made him cry out in great 
excitement. He looked again toward the picture 
of ^‘Death.” Now Audr^e had risen from her wat- 
ery grave and was slowly stepping down from the 
golden frame. 

‘^My God !’’ cried he, as he turned and gazed 
upon Zondola, who still lay among the cushions 
on the couch, with a face whiter than the linen 
that covered his heaving chest. ^‘My God!’’ he 
cried again. ^^Arise, Zondola, and cover your neck 
and arms and go — back to the sisters at the con- 
vent, and leave me alone with my wretched past, 
for there is no help for me, none, none,” he 
groaned. 

Already she had sprung to her feet and grasped 
him by the arm, and was saying: 

^^No help for you, Lucifer? What do you mean?” 

By this time he seemed to have recovered slight- 
ly, and bending over her he whispered : 

“Begone, Zondola, ere it is too late, for your 
cousin may return at any moment, and you would 
not want him to find you still here.” 

“O, no, no !” she cried, now in thoroughly fright- 
ened tones. “But tell me before I go what this all 
means, and w^hat has caused such a dreadful change 
to come over you?” 


104 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


''Umph ! Zondola/' he growled cruelly. It 
alarmed her, and she wished at that mo- 
ment she was safely quartered behind the 
walls of St. Agnes Convent, or anywhere 
but in Lucifer Argyle’s luxurious studio. 

^^Umph! Zondola,” he growled again, even more 
savagely. do not know what this means, any 
more than you do. I can only repeat there is no 
help for me, for Heaven hates me and Hell glories 
in my crimes and follies.’^ 

‘‘No, no,” Zondola exclaimed, “you have never 
committed a crime wicked enough for Heaven to 
hate you. Have you?” 

“Haven^t I ?” sneer ingly cried he. “What do you 
think?” 

“I cannot say,” she pondered. “I only know there 
is some great mystery in your life that you would 
not care to have all the world know.” 

Why she had spoken thus she could not tell, and 
for an instant fright vanished from his eyes, though 
cowardice branded his brow. 

“Let us cease this idle babble, young woman, for 
I am tired of it.” Stepping up closer to her, he 
threw her to one side as though she had actually be- 
come loathsome to him, as indeed she had, for she 
had been too easy a victim ; but while he loathed her 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


105 


she began to hate him. She hated him for dragging 
her into the fancy that she loved him, when she did 
not. Now he cursed her in his extreme selfishness 
for what he himself was to blame. 

^^Away with you,’^ he cried, as he ran his fingers 
wildly through his hair, and this time they both 
glanced in terror at a ghostly white-robed figure 
that was slowly but surely making its way toward 
them. 

“Begone! begone!” he cried, as he pushed Zon- 
dola roughly toward the door, “for she is coming 
nearer ; yes, nearer, and her garments are all drip- 
ping with water. Do you not see her?” 

“Yes, yes,” cried Zondola, too frightened to move. 
Then, while her eyes darkened, and her teeth chat- 
tered with terrible fright, she almost screamed. 

“Lucifer is a madman, and so is everything mad 
in his studio.” 

“Yes, Lucifer Argyle is a madman; worse than 
a madman,” was taken up by another voice, and a 
voice unlike anything she had ever heard before. 
It rang like a knell through her bewildered brain, 
her senses became confused as a woman’s hand ac- 
tually touched her, and with magic fingers coiled 
her streaming hair neatly about her head. Her 
limbs, so weak and trembling a moment before, now 


106 


TLAYED ON HEARTS, 


seemed to gain strength, and while she gasped fot 
the breath of life, it seemed to her as if she must 
call for help, but no words left her lips, although 
she thought she made a sound loud enough to at- 
tract the attention of every inmate in the hotel. 
Lucifer had fallen back in a large easy chair in a 
dead faint. Matters had reached such a state that 
Zondola groaned as with fear she fell upon her 
knees: 

^‘My God! This is horrible! How shall I ever 
know what it all means, or even what this curious 
sensation is that is rushing like unwholesome 
blood through my veins 

will tell you what it is, young woman,’^ sound- 
ed that unnatural voice again in her ears. “It is the 
ebbing of a passion that has never known, and will 
never know, the fulfillment of love.” 

For a moment Zondola gazed up into the face of 
the white-robed figure, that stood before her scarce- 
ly drawing breath, when suddenly the figure seemed 
to vanish, and once more she was left alone with 
Lucifer. She rose from her trembling knees, and 
tried to place her hand on his arm and speak to 
him, but the same human body appeared before her 
ag^in, and placed a detaining hand on hers. This 
time the light in the room grew a little brighter, 


TL'AYED ON HEARTS. 


107 


and for an instant the sweetest, whitest face met 
hers, and in her ear these words, faint at first, came 
from two pale, parted lips : 

“Fly! fiy! back to the convent, before you touch 
Lucifer again; for he is but a devil clothed in the 
finest of cloth. Go, and count thyself fortunate 
that 1 have saved you from encountering the wrath 
and furious contempt of your cousin and future 
husband, and your sin will stand in the eyes of 
your world as no sin, just so long as it is not found 
out. You may be sure Lucifer ^s mouth will be for- 
ever closed on this subject.” 

“My God! What manner of creature are you?” 
cried Zondola, as she quickly caught up her heavily 
plumed hat that stood on a table near at hand. 
Without one word more, she placed it on her head, 
then turned, for she was utterly incapable of cop- 
ing with such a mysterious spirit, or being, or what- 
ever it was, and left her alone with the still uncon- 
scious Lucifer, while in her ears rang the words: 
“Your sin will stand in the eyes of your world as 
no sin just so long as it is not found out.” And 
thus, while her cousin trusted her, and thought her 
a perfect woman, and never even knew she had been 
the artist’s model for many months, and his mis- 


108 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


tress not quite so long, she went out of Lucifer 
Argyle’s life forever. 

Only a half hour later Pietro Trachanzie thought 
to himself when he parted with Sir Peter, which 
was much sooner than he expected: ^^The after- 
noon is not yet all spent, suppose I just drop into 
Lucifer’s studio and perchance I may still find 
Zondola there.” 

He went, but found her not. Instead he saw 
Frangois bending over the insensible form of the 
artist. 

^^My good monsieur,” cried Trachanzie, “why do 
I find my friend thus, and where is my cousin?” 

“She has been gone some time. I know not why 
my master lies in this swoon, unless it is that he 
has not yet gained strength enough. You know he 
has been very ill for many days past.” 

“No, I did not know that,” said Trachanzie in 
surprise, gs he stepped softly up to Lucifer’s pros- 
trate form and helped Frangois lift it from the 
floor. Very gently they placed him on the couch. 
When Lucifer’s head rested among the highly per- 
fumed cushions, Trachanzie smiled, and under his 
breath said : “Some mystery here, I am sure.” He 
was, however, by far too easy going and indifferent 
by nature to allow the matter to trouble him be- 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


109 


yond the boundaries of Lucifer’s studio. He only 
sighed (a sigh Francois thought born of unutter- 
able weariness of the subject). After a second he 
turned toward the door, bidding Frangois a pleas- 
ant adieu. He left the studio, little dreaming of 
the strange experience his fiancee had had. He 
went on his way in the open air, repeating over 
once or twice: 

curious fellow; yes, a very curious fellow 
that Lucifer Argyle, and I do not understand him 
at all. Surely one never knows what he is going to 
do, or what is going to happen when one is with 
him.” 

Then the matter dropped from his mind, and 
long before he had reached his home his thoughts 
had dreamily drifted away to the new song he had 
just composed. 


110 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


CHAPTEEI X. 

Beauty itself doth of itself persuade 
The eyes of men without an orator. 

For many days after this strange occurrence 
which Lucifer could in no vay account for, he 
shunned the face of man, and was extremely taci- 
turn and morose. Nor would he taste one drop of 
wine, for fear of the hideous effect he began to 
imagine it produced on him. Whenever Frangois 
tried to speak to him, or in his presence, he would 
stop him with a dark look and silent gesture of the 
hand. One could not call him unhappy, although 
he sat for hours at a time pouring over the saddest 
and most melancholy pieces of music, for among his 
many accomplishments music was a special gift. 

At last this mood came to an end, and with it a 
natural yearning for the sight of some other face 
than that of Francois. His two pictures hung side 
by side against rich, dark red velvet hangings, that 
lined the wall on one side of the spacious studio, 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


Ill 


whicli added to the beauty of the paintings and 
the brightness, of the costly, gold frames. It was 
Helena Granville^s dark eyes and gloriously beau- 
tiful face this time that seemed to beckon the ever 
unstable and erratic artist to her side. 

It was one morning when all the world looked 
beautiful to him, even the birds chirped and sang 
gleefully as they flitted back and forth by his open 
window. His heart beat high as he breathed the 
sweet, warm summer air. He seemed to delight in 
everything on this particular morning, and at last 
he sang in the softest of voices a little love song, 
then smiling, he threw his arms out toward the pic- 
ture of ‘^Life,’’ and cried : 

Helena, Helena! My beautiful darling, my 
sweet love! How lovely you are! Never, never, did 
Paris love Menelaus’' wife more than I do you. 
Paris loved Helen, Helen loved Paris, hence that 
great war took place, for in all ages and under all 
* circumstances, eyes such as yours have swayed the 
hearts of men, and the delirious smiles, and fas- 
cinating manners of women like you have before 
now turned men into brutes, maniacs, and, must I 
say so, criminals. My God!” groaned he, as he 
hastily rose and drew a flne bluish gray silken cur- 
tain across the face of ^^Death,” so that Audrde’s 


112 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


face should be hidden from his view, for he did not 
care at this time to have any heart piercing 
thoughts arise to mar the perfect harmony of the 
day and his surroundings. Then, too, he began to 
fear to even look upon the face of Death,” for 
every day now it seemed to him to reveal a new 
and startling expression that he did not like. 
Neither could he understand it. Still, he did not 
tear the picture from the wall, although he had felt 
many times in the last few days like doing so ; but 
he could not. There was some power stronger than 
himself that governed him, and over which he had 
no control. He made haste to hide Audr^e’s face 
from Ms view, for now no other woman but Helena 
should occupy his thoughts and mind. His only 
wish was to possess her, to clasp her in his arms, 
and feel the mighty passionate throbbing of her 
heart against his own. When a passion for a new 
object seized him he could no more resist it than a 
hungry wolf can forego the prey he has long been 
seeking. Truly, Helena, with her wonderful eyes 
and beauty, had won the best feelings that such a 
nature as his is capable of knowing, though one 
could not possibly talk of a refining infiuence over 
Lucifer in a pure love, for a pure love such as the 
imagination so often dwells upon, and that which 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. US 

is, and has always been spoken of so beautifully in 
prose and poetry, was something Lucifer had never 
yet defined. His sensations alone of like and dis- 
like entirely governed his animal nature, and in the 
measure that the one to whom he sent his heart 
yielded soul and body to his whims, in the same pro- 
portion he for a time was her slave, but at present 
he was the slave of no woman, even his recent in- 
trigue with Zondola was like a dream to him now, 
as indeed were all his intrigues, and he had had 
many of them, and with women whose rank in life 
often times was higher than their virtues. His eyes, 
however, rested on none but the rarely expressive 
and beautiful. A plain woman, no matter how good, 
had no more chance for Lucifer than if she had 
never existed. On beauty alone he feasted his van- 
ity and passion. In his day he had come across 
characters of all kinds, and his models of nude 
women, that, in most instances, had brought him 
fortunes in themselves, he had found natures as 
cold, unattractive and immovable as marble. But it 
is only such women as these that can pose success.- 
fully for an artist in their nudity ; and Lucifer pos- 
sessed that rare faculty of discovering every feat- 
ure, curve and line in the human body that would 
be useful to him, and catch the eye of the lovers of 


114 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


art. Vanity is almost always the ruling passion in 
women of this kind, and it more than pleased and 
delighted them to cater to a genius such as Lucifer 
Argyle. Still, none of them had made a great or 
lasting impression on his heart, and not till he met 
Audrde in the land of his birth had such a thing as 
love entered his mind. For three long years he 
reveled in a passion few men are capable of know- 
ing or feeling, and who can tell but Heaven here 
below might still have been their portion if Helena’s 
dark electric eyes had not flashed upon him in an 
art gallery in Paris. That was all; from that hour 
Audree’s fate was sealed forever. She had surrenc 
dered her virtue, her soul, her very all, it is true, 
but what did that matter to him when his passion 
ceased? If there had been a legal attachment be- 
tween them it would have been the same to Lucifer, 
for this man had been forced into existence like 
hundreds of others, without one element of prin- 
ciple or moral goodness in his nature. But if any- 
one had told Lucifer only a few weeks before the 
opening of this story that he would at some time 
become a murderer, he would have scorned him, 
and held up his hands in horror and denounced him 
before the face of Heaven. No, no! Even Lucifer, 
with all his faults, never, never, even dreamed he 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


115 


could come to that. Not one day had passed since 
then but he had thought of it. Now, as he took a 
hasty look at his past life, he could see nothing in 
it to approve of, and surely he had nothing, he said 
to himself, to hope for in the future. He laughed, 
as the birds still flitted back and forth by his win- 
dow, and in a careless manner rose from his chair 
and resolved in his mind if there was such a thing 
as real pleasure to be found at the present time he 
was going in search of it, and nothing could, and 
nothing did any more on that day disturb Lucifer’s 
unusual good spirits. Before two more days had 
passed Lucifer and his valet had gone from the 

town of M in Canada, and found themselves 

luxuriously situated in one of the most elegant, 
exclusive and fashionable hotels by the seashore, 
where Lord Argyle, Gordon Lindsa and Pietro Tra- 
chanzie were receiving all the admiration from the 
many pretty women who thronged the place. When 
Lucifer, however, came among them, with his at- 
tractive person, careless, winning smile and ex- 
tremely fascinating manners, they forgot for a time 
all else but him. He had not been in Lindhurst two 
wrecks ere he could count his fair adorers by the 


score. 


116 


PLAYED ON EE AETB. 


CHAPTER XI. 

long to hear the story of your life, which must 
take the ear strangely,’’ 

Dark^ threatening clouds were rolling, one over 
the other, in the sky. The flashes of lightning, that 
momentarily displayed everything with brilliancy, 
and made the darkness seem deeper and blacker 
by this sudden contrast, told Sister Superior, as 
she sat by her lonely window at St. Agnes Convent, 
that a terrible storm was about to fall upon the 
earth. At last the blazes and peals followed each 
other in such rapid succession that she became 
frightened. Clasping her hands tightly together, 
she fell upon her knees and silently prayed to Him 
who alone has the power to stop the flercest tem- 
psts at His will. When the flrst dash of rain fell 
against the window pane it seemed to calm and 
reassure her, for she quietly rose to her feet. A 
faint, trusting smile illumioed her face, while she 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


Ill 


stood looking out into the darkness, watching and 
listening to the fury of the storm. It was a grand, 
but fearful, sight, and many a time during the time 
that it raged her limbs trembled, her form shook, as 
she witnessed the wild and magnificent warring' 
elements of the sky. But with it all she felt that 
He in whom she devoutly believed, and to whom she 
at all times earnestly prayed, would protect His 
own from harm, and bring peace once more to glad- 
den the earth. 

For one whole hour the storm swept madly on, 
leaving devastation and ruin in its trail ; then, with 
low grumblings and distant mutterings, it passed 
away. The moon came out, and the beauty of the 
night, after the wrathful confiict, was perfect. The 
Sister clasped her hands in gladness when all was 
quiet again. She saw the drops of water on the 
well kept lawn below her sparkle like diamonds 
under the rays of the bright moon. Natures sensi- 
tive, refined, and intelligent, such as Sister Supe- 
rior’s, are always moved to awe after witnessing 
terrific phases in nature, such as the one which had 
recently spent its wrath and died out as though ii 
had never been. 

^‘How strange and mysterious,” she thought, ^^are 
the workings of nature. How little^ after all^ do we 


118 


FLAYED ON HEAFTS. 


understand or know the Power that governs this 
mighty universe.” 

While she stood thus, lost in thought, a hand was 
laid upon her shoulder, and one of the sweetest of 
women’s voices said: 

^What a terrible storm has just passed, my dear 
Sister ! Tell me, were you not frightened?” 

‘^No, not exactly frightened,” the good sister re- 
plied, ‘‘but it did show us plainly enough how help- 
less we are, and how completely we are in God’s 
hand every moment, and,” she continued, as she 
wound her arm lovingly around the waist of the 
beautiful young woman who stood by her side, 
“my one wish is, Helena, that you may always love 
God and fear man.” 

“Why fear man?” asked Helena, with a curious 
smile on her face. “Is not man one of God’s grand- 
est creations?” 

“Indeed he is,” replied the Sister, as the color 
slowly rose to her cheeks, “but according to my 
ideas, man is to be feared, for his ways are not al- 
ways kind, and his thoughts not always wise. His 
promises are oftentimes as empty as the wind that 
blows.” After this the Sister sighed, then remained 
silent for some time. Helena thought tears dimmed 
her wonderful dark eyes. 


PLAYED ON 'NEARTS. 


119 


After a little, however, the Sister resumed : 
dear child, I know what you have come to ask. I 
remember I promised, a day or two ago, that I 
would to-night let you know my decision regarding 
your invitation to spend the summer months with 
Mrs. Lindsa and her daughter. I have, after many 
struggles in my mind, decided to let you go, for you 
are greatly in need of a change. The sea, air will 
help bring the color back again to your cheeks. 1 
hesitated in giving you my answer at once, because 
I trembled when I thought of your coming in con- 
tact with those worldly, though, I believe, good peo- 
ple, and the thought of the influence they might 
exert over you has troubled me not a little. I also 
thought, what will become of my pupil if I let her 
go to them?’’ 

There was, however, no possibility at this time of 
depressing Helena, for the invitation she had re- 
ceived some few days before had ever since been 
uppermost in her mind, and had overwhelmed her 
with great anticipations of pleasure. Her only fear 
had been that Sister Superior might say no, which 
would banish all her dreams of joy, and leave her 
the same quiet and pale, but beautiful Helena 
Granville, who led, in spite of all Sister Superior’s 
gentle; though careful surveillance and earnest de- 


120 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


votion, a life too monotonous and cheerless for her 
years. 

may goT^ cried Helena, as she threw her arms 
around Sister Superior’s neck, crying and laughing 
in one breath. ‘‘It seems too good to be true.” 

“My darling,” said the Sister, with a smile, “it 
is true — ^you may go. It would, indeed, be a great 
pity, after all, to deny you this little pleasure, in a 
■world where lives are so short. But, now, if you 
will sit down, I will give you some advice, which I 
sincerely hope you will follow. I will also talk to 
you of things of which you know comparatively 
nothing. You are but a child, and have seen very 
little of the great world, of which you are about to 
catch a season’s glance.” Here the Sister hesitated 
for a moment, while Helena sank down into the 
nearest chair she could find by the window. The 
moon shone very bright into the room, and they 
needed no artificial light to see each other’s faces. 
A rare and expressive smile played around Helena’s 
mouth, and it strangely moved the Sister’s heart. 
She remained standing while she spoke, and, taking 
one of Helena’s hands within her own, she said : 

“My dear, promise me, first of all, that you will, 
no matter what happens, remain faithful to your 
vow.” 


PLAYED ON EEATtTS. 


121 


promise, good Sister, but there is hardly any 
need of my doing so, for nothing worldly will ever 
lure me from the path of righteousness, or make 
me forget my vows to the living, or the dead.” 

Then Helena rose to her feet and for an instant 
she laid her fair face against the older woman’s 
scarcely less beautiful one. Oh, how wonderfully 
alike, both in shape and expression, these two faces 
were ! But no one was there to see it, and none but 
the moon could have told to the world a marvelous 
romance of which Sister Superior was at one time 
the heroine. But the moon tells no tales to the peo- 
ple here below ; it hugs all its secrets closely to its 
breast and sails away in the sky, smiling serenely 
on old earth as it goes. 

The last words Helena had spoken moved the 
Sister to tears. A strange presentiment of evil 
began to steal over her; she thought of the storm 
that had just passed. It seemed to her then as 
though it had been a voice speaking to her all the 
time, warning her in frightfully beseeching tones 
to hold her pupil back from the fate that awaited 
her. She tried to speak, but could not, for her 
voice was husky with emotion, her eyes were full of 
tears. 

^^My dear, dear Sister,” cried Helena, in real 


122 


"PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


alarm, me why are you thus affected? Are not 
the Lindsas a most estimable family? And shall 
I not be happy with them for a few short months?-^ 

^^Happy? Well, yes, perhaps so,’’ replied the Sis- 
ter, as she drew her hands across her eyes. But 
she never told Helena why she was so oppressed 
by the thought of parting with- her, even for a 
short time. 

It was but a few moments after this that the Sis- 
ter tried to make herself believe it was nothing, 
after all, but a foolish fancy that had entered her 
brain, and her worst fears began to pass away. 
She then said, in a low, sweet, thoughtful voice : 

^^My child, I do not say this to flatter, but you 
have a wondrous fair face, a face men will admire ; 
and while I know there is a mystical tie in mortal 
passions that unite the greatest and the least, I 
shall hope and pray that love will pass you by 
and that you shall never know what it is to even 
feel love’s sweet beginnings; for your heart is too 
true and too good to be wasted on a stone. I truly 
believe, Helena, that there is not one man good or 
true on the face of the earth. So, if one should 
come to you and whisper words of love in your ear 
turn away from him and bury your face in shame. 
Love’s sweet beginnings are all well enough, but it 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


123 


is the end — the end V’ The Sister cried with strong 
emotion : ^‘Yes, the end. When your eyes are un- 
veiled and you see man as he is. Then you wake 
and cry ‘Is love only a dream?’ This is the saddest 
hour of anguish in a woman’s life; it is the season 
of despair with her !” 

For a moment the Sister forgot Helena was by 
her side, and she clasped her hands tightly to- 
gether as she moaned, “Did I say despair? Yes, 
despair — although, despair, like everything, passes 
away, and then there is nothing left for a woman 
but the wide world to tread in, with nothing but 
keen regrets, memories of hours, days and weeks 
she would gladly crush if she could. Now, child, 
take my advice. Beware of men, for, I repeat, 
there are none of them good and none of them 
true !” 

Helena thought, “How strangely does Sister Su- 
perior act and speak to-night! It cannot be that 
she has ever known what it is to love and feel the 
sting of unanswered passion?” But the sweet ex- 
pression on her face gave no sign that she thougho 
of such a thing. Her only reply was : 

“Dear Sister, I wdll observe all you have said and 
much more; not for worlds would I grieve you. 
I shall return to this convent again about the first 


124 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


of October, unspotted by evil and perfectly inno- 
cent of the love of man. You have, dear Sister, 
made me feel to-night greatly what I owe to my God 
and the Church.” After these words passed He- 
lena’s lips the Sister gravely smiled. Why she did so 
she could not tell. Perhaps she entertained a 
doubt as to whether it would be possible for a 
young woman with Helena’s rare beauty to pass 
unnoticed at a fashionable watering place and 
whether her warning would not be like chaff cast 
before the wind. 

This was the last night these two were to spend 
together within the convent walls for some time, 
and the sister thought of many more things she 
would like to have said to Helena, but somehow the 
very words she should have spoken came not, 
though her very soul was on fire with emotion. 
Nothing again, however, during the rest of the even- 
ing passed her lips but the most casual remarks, 
scarcely audible at times, even to Helena’s acute 
hearing. 

It is needless to detail all that passed between 
them. Suffice it to say that our heroine joined her 
friends, the Lindsas, at Lindhurst, one of the most 
fashionable of watering places, the next day. But 
the night and storm preceding her departure never, 
never passed from the memory of Sister Superior, 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


m 


I 


CHAPTER XIL 
is’t cam read a toomanP’ 

It seemed the most natural thing in the world 
for Helena to sit at good Mrs. Lindsays feet and 
talk to her of Sister Superior and of her own lonely 
life at the convent. When Mrs. Lindsa, in a 
lovable and genial, yet worldly manner, folded her 
arms about her and showered kisses upon her in the 
true woman fashion and said : 

^^Not once again, Helena, for three whole months 
must you think of your studies or allow one un- 
pleasant thought to enter your brain. Enjoy your- 
self, sweet child, and forget even that there are 
such things as dark clouds constantly hovering 
over our heads, adumbrating the beauty and bright- 
ness of existence. ' 

It was just such words as these that brought 
cheer to Helena^s heart and made her feel that the 
world was not quite such a serious place to live in 


126 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


after all. Oftentimes she found herself almost 
forgetting the forbidding looking walls which had 
shut her away from the bright world so long. It 
was on the first day of July Mrs. Lindsa had said 
these words to Helena. From that day the young 
girl threw off all restraint and began a life so full 
of innocent joy and freedom that four whole weeks 
passed away before she realized it. August crept in 
so stealthily that she neither noticed nor heeded 
its coming, for the Summer was in its gladness and 
height, the trees still rich in their greenness and 
the feathered tribes chirping and singing as if the 
season would never come to an end. The Lindsa’s 
cottage at Lindhurst was one of the prettiest and 
most homelike of dwellings. The long, low verandas, 
facing the sea, were a source of great enjoyment 
to Helena. Hours at a time she would spend upon 
them, dreaming and thinking, she hardly knew of 
what, although her thoughts and dreams were 
mostly of a calmly pleasant character, born of 
health and free, sweet youth, No great event as 
yet had entered into her life to disturb it or cause 
a ripple of care or passion to mar her fair brow. As 
she looked upon nature and the people of the world, 
fiitting here and there, she thought she would never 
know one moment of satiety in her life. She en- 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


127 


joyed every hour while it smiled upon her, and 
nature seemed like a great loving god as it held 
out its arms, inviting her to indulge in its beauty 
and wonders to her hearths content. But 

^^The rose soon withers, the perfume soon ex- 
hales.” 

On this very morning, while her beautiful dark 
eyes — half asleep and half awake — were resting on 
the sea, the form of a man was moving near her. 
Yes, nearer, till at last he stood close by her side. 
She did not raise her eyes to look at him, for she 
had not heard his step. 

Heaven had given her every blessing but one. It 
had given her beauty, health, fortune, but not 
genius. But what cared the Genius, as he stood 
close by her side, with his heart on fire and his mind 
full of her beauty and youth? This was an intoxi- 
cating draught of pleasure he little dreamed a few 
days before would be his. To see her sitting thus 
alone, in her purity and innocence, looking out 
upon the sea, almost made him cry out in his en- 
thusiasm : 

“O, my love, my love, how I have longed and 
prayed for this pleasure of pleasures !” 

His arms were stretched out in the air over her 
head. His brow was hot with the fever of hope, 


128 


FLAYED ON HEARTS. 


and — can I say? — for Lucifer, fear. How beauti- 
ful she looked to him ! Her eyes, large, dark and 
thoughtful, sent the blood, surging with passion, 
fiercely through his veins. Suddenly she turned 
around and their eyes met. He was about to cry 
out when a smile parted her lips. She rose to her 
feet. His arms fell to his sides. A smile, too, 
though faint at first, began to play about his mouth. 
Then she blushed and half drew her hand across 
her eyes, and for the first time in Lucifer^s life, he 
almost felt a sacred tenderness in the presence of 
a woman. For a moment he could not utter a word, 
so great were his emotions. Neither could she 
speak, for she was overcome with embarrassment 
at such an unexpected meeting with a stranger. 

Just at this moment Helena caught sight of her 
cousin, Allene Lindsa, making her way quickly to- 
ward her. Lucifer saw her, too. The sight of Al- 
ienees face at this time made Helena breathe more 
freely. The genuineness of the young girl’s embar- 
rassment was unmistakable. It so impressed Luci- 
fer that he turned suddenly away from her. Be- 
sides, he did not wish to betray his feelings to Al- 
iene, who came bounding up to Helena’s side in 
girlish glee, and laughed quite heartily when she 
saw Helena’s pale face and curiously doubtful ex- 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


129 


pression. Lucifer smiled, for the situation struck 
him as being altogether ludicrous. He cautiously 
looked at Allene, wondering what she would do 
next. She gave him but a single glance, as she 
caught hold of Helena’s arm and walked with her a 
few paces down the veranda. 

“Why, my dear cousin,” she cried as soon as they 
were beyond his hearing, “what in the world has 
made you turn so pale and look as though you 
were going to faint at my feet? It is not possible , 
that the face and form of a man has done all this? 
Tell me, Helena, do you not think the artist hand- 
some? He certainly is a great catch for some 
one. They say — and people will talk, you know, 
sometimes, without the least provocation — a very 
wealthy little widow, who has only just arrived and 
opened one of the finest cottages on this coast, has 
set her heart on winning Lucifer Argyle.” 

Helena looked at Allene in perfect consternation, 
as she exclaimed : “Is that the artist all Paris has 
been raving about for a year or more?” 

“The very one,” returned Allene, as she burst out 
again into another hearty laugh. 

“Then I have seen him before,” said Helena. 
“How divinely he can wield his brush with his 
brain !” 


130 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


‘^Indeed he can, for he is a great genius,” said 
Allene. ^‘But come, now, Helena, let us talk no 
more of the artist for a while. We will go down to 
the little chapel you love so well and try Trachan- 
zie’s new song on the organ.” 

While Allene was speaking Helena saw the artist 
standing at the farther end of the veranda talking 
with Gordon Lindsa. His eyes were not turned in 
her direction and she had a good chance to look at 
him without being devoured by his sharp, steely 
gaze. 

Soon Lord Argyle and Trachanzie stepped out 
from the long open parlor window and joined the 
other two men. They began to discuss to all appear- 
ances, some very important subject. 

‘Well,” declared Helena, as she turned her head 
and raised two dazzling dark eyes to meet a pair of 
quaint, half-humorous, half-pathetic, blue ones, 
gleaming curiously upon her. 

“Well, well, I reiterate,” said this charming little 
golden haired sister of Gordon Lindsa. 

Just then Helena discovered the four men had 
suddenly ceased their conversation and were mak- 
ing rapid strides toward them. Neither of the two 
young women could escape them, even if they had 
tried to do so. A moment later Gordon Lindsa was 


PLATBD ON HEARTS. 


131 


presenting Helena to Lord Argyle’s brother and he 
whom she had known now over a month, and while 
she liked and respected Lord Argyle more than any 
man she had ever met, he had never for one moment 
even made her heart beat like this erratic genius. 
Her hands never trembled as they were trembling 
at this moment; and where were they? Lying in 
Lucifer’s cold ones. No one seemed to pay any at- 
tention whatever to this but Lord Argyle, and he 
stood an instant only, contemplating them in won- 
der. What would he have given to have secureil 
just one look from Helena such as Lucifer had sum- 
moned? 

^Truly, truly, it is wonderful,” he murmured un- 
der his breath, as he turned his eyes away from 
them with a painful, beating heart. ^Wes, I repeat, 
it is wonderful how Lucifer possesses such phenom- 
enal power, power above all other men. Now 
Helena will be safe only if she does not love him. 
My God !” he groaned inwardly, ^^the very thoughts 
of her loving him turns my brain on fire,” and a 
great wave of pain swept through his heart as he 
turned and looked at her once again. She was not 
looking at Lucifer this time; it was on him her 
eyes were riveted. They seemed to appeal to him 
for protection. Quickly he, in his strength and 




PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


manliness, bent over her and smiled. It was a 
smile that went straight to her heart and suddenly 
awakened a feeling neither life nor death could ever 
destroy. 

For a second Lord Argyle was completely over- 
come with emotion, for her heart he knew then was 
his, even while her hand lay in that of his brother. 

Still the sight of Lucifer holding Helena’s hand 
awakened a feeling he little dreamed, even a few 
hours before, could ever come over him. Lucifer saw 
it all and felt the tips of her fingers growing cold. 
Carelessly enough he let her hand drop from his, 
and as she turned and quickly caught Allene by the 
arm the two brothers for an instant glared at each 
other with a look of bitter cruelty and hatred. But 
with a smile on his lips Lucifer moved nearer to 
his lordship and whispered in his ear: 

‘‘I shall conquer!” 

Lord Faunus’ reply was: “Conquer if you can.” 

Helena and Allene had gone, and Lindsa and 
Trachanzie were trying to interest the two brothers 
in things about them once more. But while they 
both laughed and joked their minds were busy with 
thoughts they would not have cared to let the world 
know. Lucifer, who in the past had only had to 
look into a woman’s eyes and press her hands to 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


133 


gain complete mastery over her heart, was perfectly 
dumfounded and overwhelmed at his unsuccessful 
attempts with Helena. 

^‘My God!” he growled, under his breath, as he 
walked along by the side of his brother, ‘‘how little 
I understand the heart of a woman after all. I re- 
member, it was Audrde who told me once : ‘The fate 
of a woman is in the resolve which she shall makf' 
for or against her heart ; her life is the love she feels, 
and that love denied or that love possessed deter- 
mine her existence.’ Helena does not love me now, 
but she shall some day.” Lucifer gave not a thought 
to his brother or cared how he would feel if he were 
to win Helena’s heart. It aggravated him to find 
that Lord Faunus, whom he supposed was a mere 
nonentity in the eyes of women whenever he was 
around, should have found in Helena what he would 
have given all he owned in the world to possess. 

‘‘She loves my brother,” he hissed between his 
tight-shut teeth. “I can only say God help her.” 

He had not the slightest fear of Lord 
Faunus, and he determined to outwit him. 
He would follow Helena everywhere, and 
w^henever a chance offered he would smile upon 
her and talk to her of such divine things that she 
would wonder after a time whether she were stand- 


134 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


ing in this matter of fact world or if an angel was 
not bearing her away on its wings to heaven. 

Allene led Helena away from the four men down 
the long steps of the cottage and along the wide, 
well trodden path that led to the little chapel, where 
the good people of Lindhurst paid their respects t(> 
the Deity for a few short hours every Sabbath. 

When Helena entered the chapel a chill passed 
over her, then every pulse in her body began to 
throb with a new sensation she could not describe 
or understand. But she began to think of love, and 
immediately it awakened a new world, new thoughts 
she little dreamed of before. She found herself 
gradually forgetting Sister Superior’s warnings as 
Lord Faunus’ smile flitted through her mind. She 
could see him bending above her with a protecting 
air and that truthful light in his eyes which every 
woman loves to And in the man to whom she has 
given her heart. 

Allene was playing very softly on the organ when 
Helena stole away from her side. She wan- 
dered down the aisle, opened the chapel 
door and once more looked in the direction of the 
sea. But somehow it had changed. How she could 
not tell. It was not of the sea she was thinking, but 
of love ! Alas ! she knew not till now how precious 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


135 


one human being could become to another. Up to 
this period she little dreamed that love could ma- 
ture so rapidly, or in a single hour the germ of pas- 
sion could blossom and completely change her whole 
heart. To think a man’s eyes had looked into hers 
with love and she had not turned her face away 
and buried it in her hands with shame, for an in- 
stant stunned her with fright. Suddenly Sister Su- 
perior’s fair, sad face rose before her, and her heart 
sank like lead within her bosom. Closing the door 
softly she went back again to the altar and knelt 
down before it, and with tightly clasped hands ear- 
nestly enough tried to pray to God to help her and 
give her strength to resist temptation ; but all the 
while she was offering up this feeble petition Lord 
Faunus’ face and kind smile were before her, and at 
last it drove all thoughts of duty from her mind. 
She rose from bended knee, frightened with herself. 
She dared not look behind her lest she should see 
Satan standing th e, with sword in hand, ready to 
thrust into her guilty heart. She screamed in her 
confusion : 

‘^Come to me, Allene ! I fear I am lost ; the face of 
a man has at last come between me and prayer.” 


136 


PLAYED ON EE ARTS. 


CHAPTER XIII. 

^^Love is your master, for he masters youP 

Vainly did the bright rays of the sun endeavor to 
peer through the stained glass windows of the 
chapel, although the dim light it gave greatly en- 
hanced the beauty of the scene within. . Side by side, 
near the altar, with their arms thrown gracefully 
around each other, stood Helena Granville and Al- 
lene Lindsa. The soft and subdued surroundings 
aided the light in shedding a fascinating pallor over 
their faces. Helena, like a tall lily drooped dream- 
ily over the slight form of Allene, whose hair waved 
and shone like gold underneath Helena’s midnight 
tresses, and her eyes, so blue and clear, danced like 
happy, laughing waters under the brilliant shade 
and passionate flashing lights of the dark orbs 
above her. 

Suddenly Allene wearied of the silence that some- 
how had fallen upon them, and with a merry little 
laugh inquired: 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


137 


^^Helena, why did you call me in such frightened 
tones only a few moments ago?’’ 

'‘Now, I can’t tell you, Allene, for it all seemts 
like a dream. I only know I was trying to pray, 
and such unpleasant things would come into my 
head that they drove all good thoughts from me.” 

At this Allene burst into such a hearty laugh 
that the very walls of the chapel fairly re-echoed 
the merry sound. "It cannot be possible that that 
tantalizing little beast Cupid has driven his golden 
dart into your heart?” 

"No, no, it is not that, I am sure,” Helena quickly 
returned. 

"Well, Helena, if that all-powerful god has not 
been lisping his sweetest and softest words in your 
ears, what is it, pray, that has caused you so much 
uneasiness? It cannot be possible that you are al- 
ready tired of Mama Gordon and myself, not to 
speak of the beautiful sea?” 

"Ah, no, Allene, it is not that!” Then she stopped, 
for her eyes had once more fallen upon the form of 
Lucifer. It seemed to her then as if she had known 
him years instead of hours, and, when an instant 
later he was standing by her side and looking into 
her eyes with a half-passionate, pleading gaze, it 
almost frightened her. She started, turned quite 


138 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


pale and was about to ask him why he had come, 
when he, with his ever ready tact, fairly took the 
words out of her mouth. His head was bent slightly 
before her and these words were falling in silvery 
tones from his lips : 

do most humbly beg your pardon, young ladies, 
but some few moments ago I was attracted by the 
sound of the organ while passing the chapel door. 
I could not resist the temptation, although I frankly 
confess I tried, of stealing into this sanctuary and 
intruding my presence upon the fair musicians. 
Ah,” resumed he now, with a little laugh : 

^^^And music ^ toOj dear music, 

That cam touch 
Beyond all else the soul 
That loves it much” 

drew me in here against my very will. I was 
also thinking while one of you was playing of poor 
Aloys Moser; how he struggled and worked in the 
face of poverty to make the largest organ in the 
world.” 

^^And did he succeed?” Allene inquired, with all 
the sweet, charming enthusiasm of youth. 

^^Succeed? Yes, indeed,” replied Lucifer, as In? 
fastened his keen eyes upon Helena’s face, ^^Many 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


139 


and many a long year he worked, but at last he fin- 
ished it, together with his life.’’ 

^^How sad !” said Helena in a dreamy tone. Then 
she added, as her eyes brightened, and with a smile, 
have never seen it, but Sister Superior has, and 
she has heard it played by master fingers, too.” 

^ Where is this wonderful organ?’ Allene inquired, 
as she stepped closer up to Lucifer’s side. 

Looking down upon her in a very tender fashion, 
he said : ‘Tn the old St. Nicholas Church in Trey- 
burg, Switzerland.” Then, lowering his voice. 
Surely, surely, Aloys Moser must sometimes hear 
its music, for such fine music must reach beyond 
this world.” 

^‘You are right,” answered Helena, as her beauti- 
ful dark eyes filled with a mist of tears, ^^music like 
that does reach beyond this world.” Lucifer 
thought while she was speaking he had never heard 
a voice so sweet as hers, and his heart actually 
trembled and sank with passion like a leaf in the 
air with the weight of a storm upon it. Suddenly 
and quite unexpectedly he turned away from them, 
and, seating himself on the organ stool, wildly ran 
his fingers over the keys. Never before had such a 
volume of music filled this little chapel at Lind- 
hurst, and Helena and Allene stood for a moment 


140 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


regarding Lucifer in perfect silence and amaze- 
ment. / 

An instant later, to all appearances, he had en- 
tirely forgottten their very existence, and, as the 
music grew louder and heavier, they became more 
and more bewildered, till at last they felt they must 
flee from the presence of such a singular human 
being. Softly and quietly they left the place, but 
as they closed the door behind them the music 
ceased. Not a step or movement of theirs had es- 
caped him, and if they had looked in upon him one 
hour later their hearts might possibly have softened 
in sympathy for him, for this man, now with his 
head lying on the organ keys, was actually trying 
hard to flght a passion that was fast gaining control 
over his mind, one he felt and knew he would never 
satisfy. Try as hard as he would he could not 
quench it, for Helena’s voice and wonderful mag- 
netic eyes had awakened all the energies of his 
heart and his artistic nature melted and weakened 
at the shrine of her expressive beauty. 

At last, and with only the thought of her in his 
mind, he rose from the organ stool, and, putting 
down the cover, he shut the pretty black and white 
keys from his view ; then, turning suddenly around 
on his heel, he saw Francois standing not far off. 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


141 


looking at him in a calm, but steadfast manner. He 
started, then turned white about the lips and said : 

^^Tell me, Frangois, what possessed you to come 
here? Has anything happened 

^^Nothing has happened,^’ Fl’angois replied, as a 
bright flush overspread his face, ‘‘but I have come 
to take you home.’^ 

This was all he said as he began to walk slowly 
down the aisle of the chapel, and Lucifer found him- 
self following closely at his valeFs heels, repeating 
these lines as he went : 

H’ve oft been told my learned friars 
That wishing and the deed were one, 

And heaven punishes desires 

As much as tho^ the deed were done. 

If heaven damns us, you and I 

Are damned to all mir hearts^ content. 
Come, then, at least we may enjoy 
Some pleasures for our punishment,’ 

“Francois, what say you,” said Lucifer, as they 
reached the chapel door, “were not the friars 
right?” 

“Possibly, monsieur,” replied Francois, as he 
laughed quietly to himself at his curious and er- 
ratic master. 




PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


CHAPTER XIV. 

^^Love, lend me wings to make my purpose swift 
As thou hast lent me wit to plot this drift.” 

The season was fast drawing to a close, in fact, 
the last night in August had come, and ah ! what a 
night it was! Nature seemed to have donned her 
most attractive and gorgeous robe, and the myriads 
of flashing stars made merry with the stern, pale 
moon as she moved so majestically on her even prog- 
ress in the sky. A soft, cool breeze came wafting 
up from the sea and gently fanned the heated brows 
of the many fashionable men and women who were 
waltzing to the music of one of the flnest orchestras 
in the country. This was the last ball of the season, 
and, of course, all the fame and wealth and beauty 
of Lindhurst were there, for Mrs. Leighton Van 
Dorn, an enormously wealthy young widow, a de- 
scendant of one of the oldest and most worthy 
Knickerbocker families in the State of New York, 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


143 


had honored the people with the most elaborate en- 
tertainment of the season. Her house at Lindhurst 
was magnificent, and this night every room was 
thrown wide open to her guests. She was one of 
those charming and gushing creatures who make 
one feel when in their presence as if there is noth- 
ing else in the world but wine, pleasure and song. 
Nature had been very kind to her and had dealt 
cutely with her features, form, manners and voice. 
Readily enough she could always call to her tongue, 
maligning though it was, pleasant words to please 
her followers, and those who knew her best in the 
world in which she moved looked upon her as a 
kind of goddess of love and charity. Curious as it 
may seem, it was always Mrs. Van Dorn who, ap- 
parently unconsciously, started a subject or a ru- 
mor, but she would always discreetly leave the old 
and more vicious society people to crucify its ob- 
ject. While she served God with ostentatious hand 
she served with the other the mammon of selfish- 
ness, malice and vanity. But her faults, were cov- 
ered, overlooked and excused because of the prince- 
ly income which was yearly allotted to her. This 
night she had not only invited the elite of Lindhurst 
to enjoy a banquet of such magnificence as they had 
never seen before, but also to view a lady 


144 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


in dazzling jewels and a costume that was bewilder- 
ing in its tasteful and costly beauty. Women won- 
dered as they gazed upon her why she smiled so 
sweetly and constantly, while her eyes, dark in 
color, flashed with as many brilliant lights as the 
splendid jewels she wore. Men looked upon her m 
a far different manner and sighed: 

“Ah ! would that I were fortunate enough to pos- 
sess such a wealthy and charming creature 

But for the flrst time the people and their 
thoughts were lost to Mrs. Van Dorn, for Lucifer 
Argyle this night was by her side, whispering 
sweet and flattering words in her ears, as he warmly 
clasped her to his heart, bearing her safely and 
gracefully through the fascinating waltz. So on 
and on went the artist and his fair hostess in the 
whirl. It seemed as if they would never tire and as 
if her smile would never cease. 

“Ha, ha !” she chuckled, under her breath, “Luci- 
fer, the mighty, has certainly become enamoured 
of me, a thing I have long been waiting for ; and he 
will, I know, as soon as this dance is ended, no 
longer leave unsaid the words that will make us the 
happiest couple on the face of the earth.” 

And the artist, who understood perfectly the na- 
ture of this widow, adroitly bestowed all his atten- 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


145 


tion upon her, for he did not wish the story of his 
love read by her or by the many hungry- eyed gossips 
that thronged the place. Eeally, he never 
looked more elegant or more worthy of h 
Avoman’s homage than on this night, when 
he shielded from the people the true state 
of his feelings towmrd the beautiful dark- 
eyed Helena, w^hom he believed had begun to like 
him and who moved so quietly, yet stately, up and 
down the spacious ballroom — always either by Mrs. 
Lindsa’s or her daughter’s side. 

She was dressed in a white robe of the purest sim- 
plicity. She w^ore no jewels, but upon her breast 
there nestled a few exquisite yellow roses that he 
on that very morning had selected for her. His 
heart beat madly with jealousy, when after a time 
he saw her leave Mrs. Lindsa’s side and carelessly 
slip her hand in Lord Faunus’ arm. This was just a 
little before midnight, and when they disappeared 
from his view Lucifer knew then — for his heart told 
* him so — that he loved her. Yes, loved her madly, 
even beyond the possibility of a doubt, though he 
did not feel quite sure that Helena cared for him 
with all the depth and fervor of a tender and true 
heart ; but Fate beckoned him on to the end. 

At last the dance was over and midnight rang 


146 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


out from the old clock in the chapel tower. Still 
Lucifer had said nothing to Mrs. Van Dorn of love 
and marriage. Only a short time now remained for 
him to tell his story. 

^^Come,” said he, “let us go out on your vine-cov- 
ered terrace where the air is mild and fresh.” 

How handsome he looked as he took both her 
hands in his and led her out of the ballroom into 
the open air ! A smile almost divine in expression 
parted his lips when they stood side by side in per- 
fect silence looking far out over the calm sea. The 
moon shone very bright, and they could see in the 
distance a large ship with three masts which lay be- 
calmed on the water, with only one sail set, for not 
a breeze stirred, and the sailors sat idly on deck. A 
hundred or more colored lanterns were lighted and 
they were having music and song on board. 

“Every one seems contented and happy enough 
out on that boat,” said Lucifer, more to himself 
than to his companion. 

“Yes, indeed,” said she, “but how singular it 
looks, and I wonder where it is bound.” 

She peeped up into his face rather shyly as she 
waited for his reply, but he gave her none, and it 
was a long time before he spoke again. While he 
remained silent and thoughtful, watching the ship, 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


14 '? 

she fancied he was making up his mind how to pro- 
pose to her. A crimson tide overflowed the widow^s 
cheeks and her heart beat high with excitement 
while she patiently waited. At last he spoke, and 
her heart fairly leaped with joy : 

“For me she is ^honne et belle assez.^ ” 

She moved closer to him, if that were possible, 
and, placing her hand on his heaving chest, she 
gazed pleadingly and lovingly up into his eyes. 
He could not stifle a low, short laugh. Ah ! What 
did she see written on his face? Not for him was 
she ^^honne et belle assez.’’ No, nor was he even 
thinking of her. 

At that moment there was a rustling among the 
leaves on the terrace; the wind was rising, the sea 
became restless, and a moaning and low grumbling 
sound could be heard beneath the waves. Lucifer 
noticed that the sails on the ship were unfurled 
and that she was continuing her passage more 
quickly. Soon the waves rose higher; clouds were 
darkening the sky and lightning appeared in the 
distance. A storm was approaching. To discover 
that Lucifer was not even thinking of her drove 
the widow for the moment almost to the very verge 
of madness. Moving far away from him she clasped 
her hands tightly together and bit her lips till the 


148 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


blood almost came. She stood fully two minutes be- 
fore she turned her head and then her gaze fell 
upon the woman who had engrossed his attention. 
Not far from them, white almost as a statue, stood 
Helena Granville by Lord Faunus Argyle’s side; 
her wealth of shining dark hair coiled low on her 
shapely head and waving in soft outlines around 
her brow. Sweetly calm and wonderfully beautiful 
she looked, as she gazed out upon the sea, watching 
the waves rise and fall. 

She was speaking to his lordship in clear, soft 
tones that thrilled Lucifer’s heart and made the 
widow wild with jealousy. The latter, however, 
was too much a woman of the world to show it, 
and only a moment later both his lordship and 
Helena were talking with her, and she was saying 
the brightest and sweetest things, while in her heart 
she hated Helena with an intense hatred for win- 
ning the love of the man who had forgotten every- 
thing else in the world but her dark eyes. 

But pride, sooner or later, in this world must have 
a fall, and for the first time in her life the widow 
was inwardly suffering from a cause that was grat- 
ing harshly on her vanity. To think that Lucifer 
had encouraged her, which he had undoubtedly 
done, and allowed her to believe he cared for her ! 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


149 


And she had been foolish enough to fancy he loved 
her well enough to marry her, when in reality he 
was only amusing himself with the idea she was fall- 
ing deeply in love with him while his heart was 
given to another! And this other was Helena 
Granville, although she knew it not. 

A woman of Mrs. Van Dorn’s calibre never for- 
gives her own sex for such an offence ! 

,‘‘Ah, my love,” said she, taking one of Helena’s 
hands in hers and gazing on the roses fastened 
in her bosom, “there is an old, old saying, that 
^yellow flowers always bring misfortune to the 
wearer.’ ” 

“Aye, aye,” Helena replied, “I have heard that 
said before, but I do not believe there is any truth 
in it.” 

The widow only smiled, while Helena moved 
closer to Lord Argyle’s side. In him she felt a 
protection such as no one else in the world could 
give. 

Before another day fairly dawned the widow 
had displayed a bit of the ordinary feminine spite 
by anonymously writing to Sister Superior, at St. 
Agnes Convent, telling her many things of 
which she knew nothing. This made the good 
Sister’s heart beat with anguish and fear, for 


150 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


there was only one object in the Sister’s lonely life 
that she held dear and that was Helena. 

Lucifer, who now stood quite close to them all, 
apparently, was attentively listening to their con- 
versation even while he was mysteriously and care- 
lessly scribbling a few lines on a sheet of paper, 
unobserved by both Lord Argyle and the widow. 
He somehow slipped the written words into He- 
lena’s hand: it took only one second to do this, 
but that one second spun the web that snared her 
young and innocent life. 


FLAYED ON HEARTS, 


151 


CHAPTER XV. 

^^Welly I will love, write, sigh, pray, sue and groan,^^ 

‘^1 WONDER whether this is love or passion?’’ 
said Lucifer to Francois, when the ball was over 
and morning had come. It was early in the day. 
The little gold clock in Lucifer’s chamber had 
not yet tolled the hour of seven. He was lying 
carelessly back in a large easy-chair, and Fran- 
cois was standing by his side. The room was dark, 
for the shades were drawn, but neither of them 
noticed it. Lucifer was so intent in the thoughts 
of his new love, that he cared but little whether 
it was dark or light. 

The stillness that pervaded his apartments and 
the whole hotel made him feel more fully his pas- 
sion. It roused indiscretion on his part and an 
anxiety to confide in F'ranQois. Curiously glanc- 
ing up into his valet’s eyes, he said : 

^Tell me, if you can, does there ever come a 
time in real life when man ceases to love?” 

^^That I cannot say,” replied Francois, ‘^but I 


152 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


have heard, and often read that men after certain 
ages love only as an interlude. That is, however, 
more I fancy with the ambitious, although I think 
with most men life has other interests more ab- 
sorbing than those of love, don’t you, monsieur?” 

^Terhaps it is so, Francois. Love is for the idle, 
but sometimes busy people indulge in this exquisite 
idleness too. I am neither busy nor idle just now, 
so I think I shall give myself exclusively over 
to it for a while. I have been thinking also of 
what a height of folly it would be for me to bind 
myself to any woman for a lifetime, though I know 
well I shall never get Helena to consent to any- 
thing but a legal marriage. What I would like, 
however, would be to take her away with me to 
France for a year or two and hide her from 
the world in my old stone house by the sea.” 

“Oh, my God!” said Ftangois under his breath. 
With a flash in his eyes that escaped Lucifer’s no- 
tice, he continued: “Would you take this lovely 
young woman away to such a lonely spot without 
putting a marriage ring upon her Anger?” 

“Plague on you, boy ! Why should I put a wed- 
ding ring on any woman’s finger?” 

“Still you are not altogether certain of this young 
and beautiful nun?” 


FLAYED ON HEARTS, 


153 


“That is true, Frangois, but if she will not go 
with me willingly, I can steal her away; then I 
shall not invest in a plain gold band. I think,’’ 
he added, suddenly rising from his chair, “that 
you can tell me, Frangois, if I shall ever win He- 
lena for a wife or mistress, I do not care which. I 
have half made up my mind to marry her, any- 
way.” 

A curious laugh rang through the room. Lu- 
cifer did not like this, but it made him look more 
intently at Frangois when he spoke again. 

“Monsieur,” he began, (tossing his head to one 
side), “you remind me of that old fable of the 
jackdaw and the doves. You remember it, don’t 
you?” 

“I may have read it,” replied Lucifer. “If so, 
I have forgotten. Tell it to me.” 

“It runs like this,” Frangois slowly began : “A 
jackdaw seeing some doves in a cote abun- 
dantly provided with food, painted himself white 
and joined himself to them, that he might share 
their plentiful maintenance. The doves, as long 
as he was silent, supposing him to be one of them- 
selves, admitted him to their cote; but when one 
day, forgetting himself, he began to chatter, they 
discovered his true character, drove him forth. 


154 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


pecking him with their beaks. Failing to obtain 
food among the doves he betook himself again to 
the jackdaws. They, too, not recognizing him on 
account of his color, expelled him from amongst 
them. So desiring two objects, he obtained neither.” 

After this they were silent, and many moments 
elapsed ere Lucifer said: 

“I do declare, Francois! while you amuse me 
you also throw me into a quandary as to what to 
do. With your fables and almost constant good 
nature^ you make me feel greatly the folly of my 
desires at present, and how fairly I have earned 
an ill name among mortals. It may be that Hele- 
na will slip from my grasp at the very last mo- 
ment even if I should make up my mind to marry 
her. Heaven help her if she does !” Suddenly rais- 
ing his hand as if to check Frangois in saying 
anything more, he continued: ‘Wou may go out 
now and do not come in again till midday, then 
I will tell you what to do about packing and about 
the preparations I have made for leaving America.” 

“Very well,” said Frangois, as he turned and 
left the room with a step so rapid that it almost 
put Lucifer out of breath as he watched him. 

Dieu! mon Dieu!” said he aloud, when the 
door closed behind him. “The coolness and bold- 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


155 


ness of that lad are astounding. Sometimes I am 
really afraid of him. Why, I cannot tell.” 

But in Frangois’ eyes there was such a glow as 
would have made Lucifer recoil and shrink withiji 
himself if he had caught a glimpse of it. When 
Frangois reached the open air, he cried aloud: 

^^Oh, Lucifer, Lucifer! You will dupe and de- 
ceive if you can the one woman whom your brother 
loves and all for a cowardly, selfish purpose. Ha ! 
ha, Lucifer Argyle, let me see you do it. Injure 
one hair of Helena Granville’s head, if you dare, 
and you will feel this hand of mine closing around 
your throat. Mercy, you will cry, but I will show 
you none; for you are a coward and unworthy 
the name of Argyle. I will save the heart of a 
worthy man and destroy the libertine’s. Alas ! Lu- 
cifer, your day is nearly over. It will not be long 
now before you will fall into the pit you have 
dug for others. Your career, though bright and 
lofty, is not like unto a falling star. Darkness 
will soon swallow you. Your power will soon cease 
and then, Lucifer, and then ” 


156 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


CHAPTER XVI. 

cannot love him; let him send no more.’^ 

After Lucifer slipped the crumpled sheet of pa- 
per into Helena^s hand all the world became 
changed to her. Instantly she longed to be alone, 
so that she might devour the written words that 
had inspired his heart to so fearless an act. Why 
she had taken the paper she did not know. It was 
one of those quiet, stolen affairs in life for which 
no one can account, but she felt strangely guilty 
after doing it. How one hour later she hailed 
with delight the stillness of her own chamber! 

It was some time before she struck a light to scan 
the lines that made her tremble, although all un- 
read, and her heart beat with a painful uneasi- 
ness. 

wonder what Lucifer Argyle means by writ- 
ing me such words as these,” she said as she read 
aloud ; 


PLAYED ON EEAPTB, 


157 


‘^Come to me, my darling. Come to me to-mor- 
row just as twilight sets in, for I have something 
sweet to tell you. I will wait for you on the lit 
tie chapel steps. Lucifer. 

Two months had passed since Helena^s depa : - 
ture from St. Agnes Convent. In the meantiiiu 
what had come into her life? She was afraid lo 
think of the weeks that had passed so full of pleas- 
ure and lately of incidents. Sleeping or waking 
for the last few weeks almost constantly there had 
been one face before her, daring in its expres- 
sion, and persistent to keep its memory fresh in 
her heart. 

‘^Oh, Lucifer, Lucifer!’^ cried she as she tore 
the faded, yellow flowers from her bosom and tram- 
pled them under her feet. “You cannot make me 
love you, try as hard as you will. I have seen 
more of you than I have of your brother, and while 
I own you are very fascinating you will never 
make me love you as I do Lord Argyle. It is 
he, not the erratic genius, who has made me for- 
get my vows to the living and the dead. There is 
something in his whole being that inpels me to- 
ward him. What it is I cannot tell. I have often 
wondered if it is the gentle, though silent com- 


15B 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


mand in his eyes that has weakened my heart and 
closed my mouth to all that is just and right? 
Whatever it is/’ cried she again, ‘‘I know that 
I love him, madness though it is, and would rather 
let him crush my lips with kisses, break my heart, 
than go back to St. Agnes Convent again to spend 
the rest of my life.” 

Helena was but human, despite the fact that 
she was a novice. While she knew she loved Lord 
Faunus Argyle with all her heart she felt a cu- 
rious sensation creep over her, when she thought 
of Lucifer, and wondered why it was that he loved 
her so well when she had never encouraged him 
by even as much as a look or pressure of the hand. 
Still she knew Lucifer loved her, for he had shown 
it in every look and by every attention he had be- 
stowed upon her. 

^^How dreadful it is,” she exclaimed, as she once 
more glanced at his handwriting. This time, after 
reading it once more with tightly set teeth and 
darkly passionate eyes, she tore to bits the pa- 
per that had cost her such uneasy and forebod- 
ing thoughts. 

‘^He means me ill,” she cried as she threw her 
hands into the air, and tried to stop the tears 
that in spite of all effort filled her eyes, ^‘but he 


PLAYED ON EEAETB. 


159 


shall not succeed in trapping me in his deadly 
coils. How is it, as little experience as I have had 
in life, I can understand one of those most curious 
facts in human nature, that when once a woman, 
no matter how pure and intellectual, finds herself 
in love with such a strong, passionate nature as 
Lucifer Argyle’s, she not only surrenders all her 
virtues, but her body and soul with a recklessness 
that is surprising in itself? Her fall and destruc- 
tion are as great and lamentable as that of a mighty 
city, for she rushes to her doom with her eyes 
wide open, yet all the time blinding her conscience 
with false hopes that on the tottering tower of 
grande passion,^ there dwells untold peace and 
happiness for her. 

‘^Oh! Lucifer, if I had loved you greatly even 
in the short time I have been acquainted with you, 
and you had loved me less, this would have been 
my fate. Sometimes I do not wonder that women 
love you, your voice is so soft and winning, and 
your eyes are so full of fire and passion. But 
with all, I do not love you and never shall, and 
I thank God that my sin is not greater than it 
is.” 

She wiped the tears that now were falling like 
rain from her eyes, and kneeling down by her bed- 


160 


FLAYED ON HEARTS. 


side, she prayed aloud, forgetting all she had said 
in the presence of a newer and more divine inspira- 
tion. 

^‘My God! I do thank thee my sins are not 
greater than they are, for now I can bury the 
love I bear Lord Faunus Argyle and go back to 
Sister Superior and the Church, with only an echo 
of what might have been if Thy love and the Sis- 
ter’s words and my vows did not completely chain 
me to all that is right and good. I do thank Thee 
once more that I have not forgotten myself be- 
tween Lord Faunus and Lucifer, and fallen into 
a pit too deep to rise from again.” 

She remained more than an hour on her knees 
after she finished speaking. It was raining out- 
side, but she did not heed it; the wind was ris- 
ing every moment and blowing fiercely. The waves 
rose mountains high and at last overtopped 
the mast of the ship Mrs. Van Dorn and Lucifer 
had watched with so much interest on her vine- 
covered terrace; and while Helena remained un- 
mindful of all that was going on without, the ship 
was pursuing a flying course over the raging sea ; 
but at last it creaked and groaned, the thick planks 
gave way under the lashing of the waves, and she 
sank with all on board. In the morning the storm 


PLAYED ON BEART8, 


161 


ceased. The sun rose red and glorious from the 
water, but the beams and planks of the ship that 
were strewn on the surface of the water were all 
that was left to tell the tale of the terrible disas- 
ter. The news, however, spread with great rapidity 

all over the country. A ship bound for L 

had been lost not far from the coast of Lindhurst. 
Many hundred lives had been sacrificed, and the 
people throughout the land were horrified when 
reading such terrible news, but none more so than 
Helena. It made her feel, unbeknown to any one, 
that the ship, as it lay the night before so long 
becalmed upon the water, was a warning to her 
to beware lest she be swept on and become en- 
tangled in the storm of life, and amid its fierce 
and raging tempests go down and be lost to the 
world forever. The sad news, however, and her 
own curious feelings regarding the disaster, and 
Lucifer’s boldness^ — impressed her so forcibly, that 
she fully resolved to say good-bye to her friends 
at Lindhurst and return at once to St. Agnes 
Convent. 

However, this day wore away like all the others, 
and she said nothing about leaving Lindhurst to 
any of her friends. She had spent the greater 
part of the morning with Lord Argyle and he had 


162 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


made her so happy and light-hearted that he for 
a time made her forget her resolutions and uneasi- 
ness. 

“And do I love him?’^ Helena asked herself 
when she parted with Lord Faunus — close upon 
noon — “Love him?” she repeated, “with all my 
heart, soul, and life. Ah,” she murmured low 
to herself, as she entered the front hall of the 
cottage and slowly made her way up the stairs, to 
her room to dress for luncheon, “I would give up 
rank and fortune, and lay aside my vows for one 
day of happiness with Lord Faunus! Ah, it is 
cruel, indeed, to be bound as I am,” and throwing 
up her arms, she cried: “Forgive me, my God, 
for I am weak. Yes, I am very weak, but I do 
love him, I do love him!” 

“You love me?” 

Quickly she turned around and there standing 
close behind her at the head of the stairs in the 
upper hall of Mrs. Lindsa’s cottage, was Lord Ar- 
gyle. She had parted with him on the terrace 
and thought she would see no more of him till 
the midday meal, but here he was, standing tall and 
grandly before her, and smiling down upon her 
in the most loving manner. He had overheard 
every word she said. Placing his hands on both 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


163 


her shoulders, with a look in his eyes no woman 
before had ever seen, he said: 

“And so you love me, Helena? Say it again, 
darling, and Heaven shall be ours!” 

For a moment she was so overcome with embar- 
rassment she could not utter a word, and when 
she felt his arms stealing quietly and gently around 
her waist, her heart seemed to stand still : What 
a moment of rapture this, to them both! Net 
a word or sound between them, not even a kiss 
was exchanged, but to his heart she spoke with 
hers upon it. This lasted only one moment, then 
she raised her face to his, and he said as he looked 
way down into the depths of her beautiful eyes: 

“God bless you, my darling!” 

And she said the same to him, but in a very 
low, sad voice, then hastened away from him to 
her chamber. He stole down the stairs, meeting 
no one, and when out of the house betook him- 
self to the little chapel, which was always open, to 
think over all that had transpired since the day 
first began. A weight of care was off his mind 
regarding Lucifer. He knew now, without a 
doubt, all of Helena’s feeling was centered on him, 
and for his brother she cared not at all. Of one 


164 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


thing he was certain: If Helena could not have 
him, no one else should have her. 

Helena wandered around for the rest of the day 
in a kind of blissful dream. Lord Argyle had 
gone with some friends to a neighboring town, Al- 
lene had told her an hour or so after they had 
eaten their luncheon. She missed him and felt 
an unutterable loneliness steal over her when she 
thought she could see no more of him that day. 
To Lucifer she gave not a thought, and when 
twilight came, she donned her hat, carelessly wound 
a soft, pretty, white scarf about her shoulders, 
and stole out of the cottage, and away from the 
good people who loved and honored her. 

She little dreamed at that moment she 
would never return to them again. She stole away 
because she wanted to be alone, to think once more 
what was best to do. She had become very much 
mixed up in her thoughts and was fast being 
drawn into Cupid^s net — ^when it would be impos- 
sible for her to extricate herself, unless she de- 
nied herself the pleasure of ever seeing Lord Faunus 
again — and how was she to do this? By leaving 
Lindhurst the following day? But when she 
thought of it, and of going back to the convent 
again, her heart gave a bound of pain, and wring- 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


165 


ing her hands with actual misery she plunged 
deeper into her undecided condition. 

She had reached the little chapel without know- 
ing it while walking and thinking; dark clouds 
had been gathering over her head: suddenly she 
looked up and saw them. 

“It cannot be possible/’ she said aloud, “that we 
are going to have another storm to'-night. 
Well,” she laughed softly, “there is no dependence 
to be placed on the weather at this time of the 
year.” 

But neither the threatening clouds, nor the fast 
approaching storm made her hasten back to the 
cottage. Drawing her scarf more closely about 
her, she sat down upon the chapel steps, and re- 
peated these lines: 

“Time’s daughters, true as those of men, deceive 
us. Not one but puts some cheat on all mankind.” 


166 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


CHAPTEEi XVII. 

^^What cursed foot wanders this way to-night 

There was a peculiar, earnest tenderness in the 
tones of Lucifer’s voice when suddenly he bent 
over Helena as she sat upon the chapel steps and 
said: 

^‘Ah ! my beauty, my darling, you came as I de- 
sired. Although it is twilight it is very little like 
the twilight hour I anticipated meeting you in. 
It looks as though we were going to have another 
frightful storm; had we not better step just in- 
side the chapel door?” 

‘^No,” she replied as she suddenly rose to her 
feet, “this is all a mistake, all a mistake. I had 
forgotten entirely that this was the time you set 
for our meeting. I never intended to come; belie v^e 
me, when I say I was so intent upon thoughts 
of some one else that I wandered away from the 
house, and down here, so as to be alone, never 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


167 


for one moment thinking I should meet you or 
see you anywhere; so let me go back to my friends 
again and to-morrow I will leave Lindhurst for- 
ever.” 

^^Helena,” said Lucifer as he snatched up her 
hand against her will, never dreamed of this, 
no, never, never, but tell me, have you not one 
particle of feeling in your heart for me?” 

She could not answer, for she, like every one else 
when in his presence, was held in chain by his elo- 
quent pleading and fascinating manner. 

^^You are silent,” said he, ^‘but let me tell you. 
Life would have very little left for me to desire 
if I thought there dwelt no love in your heart for 
me. Why, Helena, I have graven the very look 
of your eye and the quiver of your lips upon my 
heart, so that they haunt me by darkness as well 
as by day. Passionately and well do I love. 
Therefore, come, fly with me, and let us make our 
own laws, and our own home in a careless, happy 
way, in a land far from here.” 

^^Our own laws, and our own home in a careless, 
happy way: What mean you, Lucifer?” 

She had called him Lucifer without knowing 
it, but when Helena asked these words a veil seemed 
to fall from her eyes. She suddenly saw herself 


168 


PLAYED ON EE ARTS, 


in a light that made her shudder and cry out in 
frightened tones: 

^^Have I forgotten everything to stand here and 
listen to such words as these? No, no, Lucifer, 
I shall never go with any one to a strange land, 
nor will I any longer allow you to talk to me of 
love, for I do not love you, and never shall.” 

It had grown too dark to see his face, but he 
still held her hand and she could feel his whole 
body tremble. When, however, he tried to place 
his arms around her waist she repelled him with 
an awful scorn, but the madness of his passion 
was so powerful in its fiendishness that it urged 
him to try and subdue her will ; all in vain. This 
he could not do, although now he had thorough- 
ly frightened her and she knew she was in danger. 
Her good angel might be mightier than the flesh, 
but it would not save her now unless in some way 
she could free herself from his firm grasp, which 
was tightening with every instant. 

This was the first woman who had ever resisted 
or repulsed him in any way and it wounded and 
maddened his arrogant pride. But when he spoke 
again his voice had changed; low and sweet he 
said : 

^^Thou needest say no more, Helena, to tell me 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


169 


that your heart is not mine ! I had hoped though/^ 
and here his voice sank to a mere whisper, “that 
love, sweet love, could be ours. There is noth- 
ing I could not give you, Helena, for my income 
is a princely one. Consider once again. Shall 
we not join hands and agree to love each other 
and be happy while upon earth 

“Nay, nay,” said she, softly, as she tried to 
free her hand from his. “I cannot love you, Lu- 
cifer; so let us tarry here no longer; we will part 
and forget even that we have ever met.” 

Lucifer was stung and enraged at her coolness. 
He bit his lip to keep down his anger, while he 
said: 

“I go away and forget you! My God! child, 
you know not what you are saying, but tell me 
why earnest thou here to-night in answer to my 
note?” 

“I have told you,” she said, “and you will not 
believe me. I must have been under a spell and it 
drew me here against my will.” 

He gave a low, incredulous laugh, which stung 
her to the quick. She cried with tears in her eyes : 

“Let me go, for I loathe you. Your love for me 
is neither pure nor good. Now make peace with 
Heaven and free my hand.” 


170 


FLAYED ON HEARTS. 


At this, Lucifer lost all control over himself, and 
seizing her roughly by the arm cried: 

^‘Do not be unwise, young woman, and let what 
some people call honor stand in your way of hap- 
piness.^^ 

She was trembling from head to foot with fear. 
She tried to cry for help, but he would not let her. 
She shuddered and groaned and struggled desper- 
ately to free herself from his arms. 

^^Too late, too late !” he cried, ^^for you are mine, 
Helena Granville; yes, mine — Abound by the law of 
love,” and he strained her to his breast so tightly 
she shrieked with pain. Then she thought of 
what the gentle Sister had said to her the night 
before she came to Lindhurst, and an overwhelm- 
ing sense of degradation swept over her whole be- 
ing. She cried till she was faint with pain and 
fright: ^‘Away, man, away!” 

“Alas! young woman, I repeat, it is too 
late,” and just as his mocking laugh rang out on 
the air, all consciousness left her, and the wind 
that was swiftly rising and disturbing the calm 
of the sea at last began to lash it into fury; still 
Lucifer held her in his arms: he knew that she 
had fainted, for her loud screams. for help had died 
away, and her head drooped on his shoulder. He 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


in 


knew that he had been cruel, but he could not help 
it, for his heart was beating almost to madness 
with a dangerous love. He knew no one had heard 
her cry for help and his reason was lost in the 
intensity of his passion. 

At last amid the howling wind and now fast 
falling drops of rain, he drew her slender form still 
tighter in his arms and hurried away with her to- 
ward his yacht, which lay at no great distance, 
tossing, and tumbling upon the angry billows. 


m 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


CHAPTER XVIII. 

^^Either there is a civil strife in heaven. 

Or else the world too saucy with the Gods, 
Incenses them to send destruction,’’ 

All night it rained. It fairly poured in heavy 
warm streams, deluging the streets and terraces 
of all the buildings and cottages at Lindhurst. That 
night, many and many a soul that had never 
even thought of prayer since they had knelt by 
their mother’s knees in childhood, prayed. Fear 
bent the trembling knee amid the low, savage 
growling of the thunder and the coughing of the 
wind, heard above the splashing of the water. Not 
till morning broke did the people dare to lift their 
hands and open their mouths. Never before had 
such a storm visited Lindhurst. 

At midday the sun came out and shone with a 
dazzling, mocking brilliancy upon the devastation 
and ruins of the place. The little chapel that ha<i 
stood so long upon the shore had been swept away 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


Its 


like a feather before a gust of wind. No good 
rector would ever again cry out from its pulpit 
against the errors and transgressions of the peo- 
ple. All the buildings and beautiful cottages had 
been more or less roughly torn and marred, and 
many dead bodies were found, when the lakes and 
streams which dotted the streets far and near 
cleared away. 

Long would the people of Lindhurst remember 
this terrible storm and long would they remem- 
ber two faces they never saw again after that night. 
Many thought that Lucifer and Helena might have 
wandered down on the beach or sought shelter 
in the chapel and that their lives had been cruel- 
ly swept from the land into the sea. Some others, 
of course, thought differently, but no one ever ac- 
curately conjectured the fate of these two mor- 
tals. 

It would be impossible to describe the grief that 
invaded the Lindsa household. Many and many a 
day this family saw the sun go down at the clos- 
ing of the day with hearts heavy and sore with 
disappointment, for they not only faithfully 
watched, but prayed with a feverish, longing desire 
that the sea might at least be merciful and wash 
these two bodies ashore. But the deep was too 


TLAYED ON HEARTS. 


m 

savagely remorseless in its secretiveness to yield 
up even a sign regarding the work it had com- 
pleted on the night of that terrible storm. So 
after a time the Lindsa famly left Lindhurst, think- 
ing perhaps Helena had been altogether too good 
for this world and had been called away not one 
hour too soon from this earthly home; and they 
tried to comfort themselves with the hope that she 
was already rejoicing in a brighter glory than will 
ever shine on this earth. 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


115 


CHAPTER XIX. 

^^Men at some time are masters of their fate.” 

Two or three days after the departure of the 
Lindsa family from the seashore, a sad and lonely 
looking woman strolled along the streets of Lind- 
hurst in a garb of somber gray. It was Sister 
Superior. On she marched, heeding not the pass- 
ers-by or any living soul till she stood close by 
the sea. She had heard the cruel tidings of He- 
lena’s singular disappearance, and as she stood 
there gazing silently upon the now stern, cold 
waters, a curious feeling of distrust and suspicion 
began to stir in her heart. Suddenly throwing 
her arms into the air her eyes brightened up with 
almost an insane luster as she cried : 

“All is well with Helena’s soul if she lies at 
the bottom of the sea, but something whispers 
to me, and whispers truly that she lives. But 
how, and where? Lucifer, the artist also disap- 


176 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


peared on the same night! Strange, indeed,” she 
murmured, ^‘but something whispers to me again 
that Lucifer lives, for Heaven has no room for 
such as he, and possibly these two misguided souls 
at this very moment are wrestling with the im- 
aginary thing called love.” 

‘‘Beg pardon — ” interrupted a gentle voice close 
to her side. “It cannot be possible that you too 
think that Lucifer, my brother, and Helena ” 

“Your brother?” the Sister cried, as she shrank 
away from the man who had come so suddenly and 
unexpectedly upon her. 

“Yes, my brother,” said he again, “but God for- 
bid that he should do Helena wrong.” 

After this, for a moment or so the Sister was 
very quiet. She seemed to be listening for some 
voice to speak to her from the world and tell her 
where to find Helena, or whether she was happy, 
or in danger, or gone from her forever; or if not 
dead, had she broken all her vows to the living 
and the dead? Was she no longer innocent? Was 
that terrible storm that almost wrecked Lindhurst 
only a veil that securely hid from the world the 
moral weakness and delusive dreams of these two 
young people? 

“Tell me,” she cried as she placed her hand oq 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


m 

Lord Argyle’s arm. you really think that 

Helena has forgotten herself and gone with the 
artist, or she is dead?” 

Lord Argyle bent his head before her, and his 
heart beat painfully, as he replied : 

have tried in vain, even as yon have, to be- 
lieve otherwise than this. I feel they are to- 
gether, but where or how I cannot say. Your wise 
intuitiveness, however, is a clue that will enable 
me to find Lucifer. No matter where he has gone 
he cannot escape me, try as hard as he will.” 

Then he lifted up his head once more, and, lock- 
ing his hands closely behind him, he turned from 
the Sister and began to stroll up and down the 
narrow walk before him. Suddenly he paused, a 
smile passed over his face and the name Audrde 
came from his lips. 

Turning quickly, he went back to the Sister’s 
side again, and, taking both her hands in his, he 
drew her close to him, looking steadily down into 
" her frank, tender eyes : 

‘Will you tell me what you are to Helena?” he 
said. 

For a second her heavy lashes drooped to hide 
the tears that gathered, her voice so clear, so steady 
hitherto, quivered when she tried to speak to him. 


178 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


All the sympathy in his nature was aroused, as he 
witnessed the Sister^s strong emotion. Bending 
very low over her he softly pressed her hand and 
patiently waited till she calmed sufficiently to 
raise her eyes and look at him. At last her tears 
cleared away and her voice resumed its natural 
sweetness. Kaising her clear, white face to his, 
she said: 

‘‘You ask me what I am to Helena? This I can 
say: I am her nearest, best and only friend. Now, 
Lord Argyle, allow me to say, I like you, and 
trust you; you are a man in every sense of the 
word. Now, go and find Helena, bring her back 
to me at St. Agnes Convent. I want to see her 
once more before I depart this life. When you 
find her, for something tells me you will, say to 
her, no matter in what obscure or unwholesome 
circumstances you may find her, that Sister Su- 
perior is waiting for her and that even if she has 
done wrong she will be forgiven and received into 
her arms once more. I vdll teach her all over 
again, that only on Him who clothes the lilies 
with glory and gives strength to stay the avalanche 
on the mountain side can she put her trust. She 
was and is but a frail fiower at the best, so go 
find her; bring her back to me before every ves- 


PLAYHD ON HNABrS, 


m 

tige of beauty that nature has so generously be- 
stowed upon her has gone^ I will wait for her 
years, yes, wait even till my hair turns as white 
as snow and old age has printed its stern, cruel 
marks upon my brow.” 

Then her voice ceased altogether. How long 
Lord Argyle stood watching the woman, whose 
changing expressions were wonderful to behold, as 
she anxiously waited for him to speak, he never 
knew; but a sudden recollection of a face they 
both loved so well, and one that had brightened 
all over a few days before for him stabbed him 
to the heart. Setting his teeth hard he remained 
many moments longer in silent thought; she won- 
dered if he would speak again, and if he did what 
would he say, would he refuse her earnest request? 
No, no. Lord Argyle was by far too generous, self- 
sacrificing and loyal by nature to refuse a woman^s 
request, no matter how great, and while his 
own heart was throbbing with love, doubt and fear, 
he smiled as these words fell from his lips: 

“Have no fear, good Sister, I will scour the 
countries far and near. If Helena is alive I shall 
find her and bring her back to you. I will not 
keep you in suspense either till the years have 
stolen all the brightness from your eyes — eyes that 


180 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


only a few moments ago when you were speaking 
of Helena lighted up with all the splendor of your 
younger days. It was then I asked you to tell 
me what you were to Helena. In your expression 
alone I read a story that startled me, the resem- 
blance was so great.’^ He added, ‘Terhaps I am 
wrong, though.” 

^^No, no,” interrupted the Sister in trembling 
tones, ^^I am what you think.” 

^^Helena’s mother,” cried he, as he carried her 
cold, white hand to his lips. 

‘^Even so,’^ she murmured. 

He never forgot how her eyes at that moment 
lost their luster and suddenly faded away into 
a dim and misty darkness. The sun had gone 
down in the sky when Lord Argyle smiled once 
more and the sea murmured a soft, low, musical 
lullaby to these words : 

“Sister Superior, all my sympathy is now en- 
listed in your behalf. I care nothing for your 
history, for I know it is too sad a one to tell to 
a stranger. You are Helena’s mother, that is 
enough. You, and you alone, shall enjoy the priv- 
ilege of soothing her sore and perhaps disap- 
pointed heart, of hiding her again from the world 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


181 


and also from the man we both think and believe 
has injured but not wronged her.” 

^^No, no,” cried the Sister, ‘^something tells me 
he has not wronged her, for some one is there and 
will save Helena.” 

^‘Yes, good Sister,” he replied hardly knowing 
what he did say; “some one is there and will save 
her.” 

“Thank you. Lord Argyle, I know I can trust 
you,” said she, as she carried his soft, white hand 
to her lips, then with a stately, yet graceful in- 
clination of the head she left him alone with his 
own strange and curious thoughts. 

He never saw the Sister again, but the memory 
of her pure, sad face and sweet voice and the one 
little tear that fell upon his hand when her lips 
were pressed so softly upon it, haunted him for 
many and many a year after. He stayed down on 
the beach long after the Sister had gone, walking 
up and down and thinking of what was best to 
do, and in what direction he would go to find He- 
lena. 

“Helena,” he cried aloud, “why did you leave 
me thus, just when I found that you really loved 
me? My God! I cannot even think clearly. I 
can only feel, and wonder with pain and uneasi- 


182 


TL'AYED ON HEARTS. 


ness, but I cannot and will not let you go thus 
easily. If Lucifer has spirited you away, ye Gods ! 
he shall suffer for it.” 

Then the memory of her manner and grace and 
lovely sweetness came over him. He groaned and 
clasped his hands behind him once more. He felt 
then as though he would leap into the ^‘val- 
ley of the shadow of death,” to find her and fold 
her in his arms once again. Fear was all beyond 
him now, and hope rose to meet the occasion. He 
strode quickly back to his room in the hotel to 
make a hasty preparation for his departure. 

^Tt will be across the sea. Somewhere I shall 
find her,” he said to himself as he left Lindhurst 
that night without any misgivings and in good 
trust of a speedy meeting with the woman he loved 
best in all the world. 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


183 


CHAPTER XX. 

^^Memory^ the warder of the brain.’’ 

Weeks slipped away and the months rolled on. 
Winter snows and sleet covered the ground. Still 
no tidings reached Sister Superior from Lord Ar- 
gyle or Helena, for whom she prayed all 
day long. She daily watched the mail with 
vague expectations of some news of the missing 
ones, but none came, and before she realized it, 
spring once more gladdened the inhabitants of the 
earth. Still the Sister patiently waited, all the 
time keeping the lights burning on the thankless 
altar of duty, which in a measure subdued mem- 
ory, which is SO tantalizingly tenacious. 

At last, spring and summer silently drifted 
away, autumn crept in with its sighing winds and 
melancholy voice murmuring in her ears that more 
than one whole year had gone since she had held 
Helena’s hand at parting^ and blessed her as she 


184 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


kissed her good-bye. She remembered too, how 
she had passed her hand over her eyes for an in- 
stant to stay the tears that threatened to fall as 
she saw the beautiful young woman pass from her 
sight. If only she had had the courage then to 
tell her all, how different, perhaps, both of their 
lives would have been. 

While the Sister waited, watched and prayed, 
in a high but magnificent chamber in that mem- 
orable old gray stone house situated in the lone- 
liest of all lonely places in France, sat Helena 
Granville, a solitary prisoner. 

A lamp burned low before her on a table of 
gold. The light threw its rays over her pale, 
thin face, which rested on her arm thrown care- 
lessly across one corner of the table. Her dress 
looked shabby and worn and sadly out of keep- 
ing with her magnificent surroundings. 

Time, care and fear had wrought a sad change 
in the face and form of Helena: every now and 
then she would move her head restlessly, start 
nervously, then try to quiet herself, muttering 
broken exclamations like a person in a dream. 
She always was keeping her gaze anxiously turned 
toward a grated door, from which no person save 
an old Spanish servant had entered for months. 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


1S5 


Such for one whole year had been the abode of 
Helena Granville. Luxury surrounded her, but 
she had hardly noticed it. Her only thought was 
the fear of encountering the man she hated now 
with a hatred intense in its bitterness and scorn. 
There was a strange, wandering fire in her large, 
dark eyes, when at last she raised her face from 
her arm. Turning the light still lower she rose 
rather slowly, for her limbs were very weak; she 
had grown weak mentally and physically from ex- 
cessive worry and insufficiency of food. She tot- 
tered to a grated window and looked out upon the 
expanse of water. She shuddered and cried: 

“How long! Oh, how much longer shall I re- 
main in this prison! Will no one ever come to 
save me and take me back to St. Agnes Convent, 
and to good Sister Superior. Indeed! indeed, my 
sufferings have been greater than my sins. Glad- 
ly now would I go back to the convent and hide 
myself from this cruel world.” 

It had been a fine October day. The sun was 
just going down, setting the deep ablaze with its 
parting glory. She leaned her face against the 
iron grating and listened to a chime of bells as 
they floated through the air; every evening just 
at this time they played, until the sun went down. 


186 


PLAYED ON EE ARTS. 


Then the sounds grew fainter and fainter, dying 
away at last in immeasurable distance. It was 
at this time of evening now more than one year 
ago that Helena had forgotten her promises to Sis^ 
ter Superior, and listened to words of love, and 
put herself in Satan^s power. The master of this^ 
old house had placed in its tower these chimes 
in memory of it, and also of the time when that 
fearful storm had tossed his yacht hither and 
thither upon the angry, dangerous waters in wild 
confusion, although it carried them safely away 
from the shores of Lindhurst on that eventful 
night. 

She had been a prisoner in this old house a lit- 
tle more than a year, and but for one person she 
little dreamed of, her life would indeed have been 
a wreck in spite of all her anger, tears and plead- 
ings. 

Darkness had fully set in when she turned away 
from the grated window. Once more she went 
back to her old seat by the table. This time she 
turned up the light to make it brighter, and for 
the first time since she had been confined in this 
apartment, she looked about her with interest. She 
faintly smiled as she thought, ^‘All the magnifi- 
cence in the world cannot bring happiness where 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


187 


there is no love.’^ Then clasping her hands tight- 
ly together once more, she began to pray for help. 

‘^Oh, my God,” she cried ; ‘ Vill no one come and 
rescue me from this horrible existence and take 
me back again to my free, innocent life again?” 

Then she began to cry as she had done many 
a time before. Throwing her arm across one 
corner of the table, she laid her head down upon 
it. This was her favorite position, for it rested 
her more than any other. She was always hop- 
ing against hope that some one would come to hei* 
aid before she quite lost her senses. All the time, 
however, she kept her eyes on the grated door. 

At last there was a slight noise, a clank of the 
chain on the door. Suddenly it flew open and a 
small table was wheeled into the room with some 
wine and a few dainties upon it. Then the door 
closed again, the chain was fastened on the out- 
side and all was still. She did not rise at once 
to taste the food or wine, but' remained in the same 
position for an hour or more. It was a strange 
and unsocial face that darkened the doorway and 
a hard and unyielding hand that had wheeled the 
dainties in to her, but she knew they belonged to 
one of Lucifer’s faithful old Spanish servants. 
She had long ago ceased to fear her or pay any 


1S8 


TLAYED ON HEARTS, 


attention to her, or her eccentric manner, and as 
she did not understand Spanish sufficiently, they 
had never held any lengthy conversation since she 
had been in the house. She was no friend of hers, 
this Helena well knew, for everybody and every- 
thing was subservient to Lucifer^s tyrannical will. 
Even she, whom he had exiled from all she loved 
because she had crossed his path and scorned a 
passion that had mastered his very soul, he kepi 
within chains and away from the sound of every liv- 
ing voice. Although he had been content to live 
for one whole year in the same house without as 
much as approaching her, yet he saw her every 
day through the iron grating of the door. The 
very thinness and paleness of her cheeks, and the 
wasting away of her form, to say nothing of the 
wandering fire in her eyes, fascinated him beyond 
everything else. During the first few months she 
had pleaded and pleaded and pleaded with him 
on bended knees, with tears like rain falling from 
her eyes, to have mercy on her and let her go back 
to Sister Superior, but he always answered her 
with a mocking laugh and a, look that froze the 
very blood in her veins. 

^^Nay, nay, my beauty; I shall never let you go, 
for I love you and you shall yet be mine.” 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


189 


Helena’s countenance would grow terrible as he 
uttered these words. He seemed to delight in tor- 
turing her. He would go away from her, laugh- 
ing loudly along the wide, cold hall which re- 
echoed the uncanny sounds. There never yet was 
a road so long but it turned some time or other. 

Helena’s good angel this night was hovering very 
hear her, although she knew it not. Neither did 
she suspect that Lucifer had reached the limit 
of his patience and endurance. 


190 


PLAYED ON EEABT8. 


CHAPTER XXI. 

^^And all things change them to the contrary. 

^Tut out your light, raise your window and 
let the night air come in, Helena, for Lucifer is 
asleep. I gave him a powerful drug a while ago 
and he will not awaken for many hours.” 

The speaker was Frangois, and he stood close 
by Helena’s side. This was the first time Fran- 
cois had ever spoken to her, although he had passed 
the grated door many a time bound on some mis- 
sion or other for his master. Recently he had 
been watching a chance to speak to her alone. 

“Why put out the light and raise the window?” 
Helena returned very faintly. “Everything is well 
enough as it is.” 

“Nay, nay, young woman, do not be afraid; I 
have not come here to harm you — only to talk 
to you ; and there is too much light and not enough 
air. Look how the moon shines upon the water 
to-night — that will be light enough for us,” 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


191 


^^Are you quite sure Lucifer is sound asleep?’’ 
asked Helena, as she seized Frangois by the hand 
and looked up into his eyes like a poor, haunted 
animal. 

‘^Yes, I am sure,” replied Frangois, “and now, 
while I think of it, before we lower the lights I will 
throw off these boys’ clothes for they have become 
a burden to me, and put on something light and 
airy, then I will show you a woman with a wom- 
an’s heart, and we will sit here in the darkness of 
the dying night and I will tell you the story of 
my life. You need not be afraid any longer, for 
you have a friend now, Helena, in this old house, 
who will save you from further trouble and any 
more fear and annoyance from the hands of Lu- 
cifer.” 

Heavy tears were falling from Helena’s eyes, 
but no tears dimmed the eyes of the young per- 
son who stood before her. Suddenly stooping 
over her, Frangois said: 

“I know of a little secret closet in this apart- 
ment where a few dresses hang. I am going to 
open it and take out one of the prettiest and ar- 
ray myself in its costly beauty once more. You 
sit right here, Helena, till I return to you.” 

“There is no danger of either of Lucifer’s old 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


m 

Spanisli servants coming up the stairs to-night?’’ 
asked Helena, with some doubt, in her voice. 

^^None whatever,” replied Frangois, have 
fixed that, too.” Then the valet disappeared. He- 
lena remained very quiet, but as usual watched the 
grated door. She had quite forgotten everything 
when she felt a slight touch on her shoulder. She 
turned her head, and there close by her side stood 
a young woman so divinely fair that it took her 
breath away, as she gazed in wonder upon hei'. 
It had been so long since she had seen anything 
that looked like a woman with kindness in her 
eyes, that she reeled and would have fainted had 
not her newborn friend brought her a glass of 
wine and urged her to drink. She drained the 
glass and smiled as she felt her strength return- 
ing. Once more she looked at the young woman 
who now stood before her, clothed in a white, cling- 
ing garment of some rich material, which set off 
a figure, which, although very slender, was beau- 
tiful in its outlines, and unrivalled in its grace- 
fulness. The face was white and haggard, still 
the features were beautiful : but in the eyes there 
dwelt no hope, for all the fair things of this life 
had completely gone from her. Helena saw all 
this, and a curious feeling took possession of her ; 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


193 


taking hold of the young woman^s hand once 
more, she said: 

‘‘I trust you thoroughly; and now help me to 
rise, and I will put out the light, raise my window 
and let the pure night air blow in. I know now 
that I have not waited, watched, and prayed in 
vain.” 

Only a second later and it was very dark in the 
room which for one whole year had been lighted 
by a small lamp, which the old Spanish woman 
had never one morning even neglected to fill with 
oil. Helena felt secure now, even in the darkness, 
and it made her also feel more the distance that 
had divided her and Lucifer. Somehow both of 
these young women felt very safe. Warmly clasp- 
ing each other’s hands, they remained speechless 
for some time. Perhaps both of them were 
back only a year or so dreaming girls’ fan- 
cies, hoping girls’ hopes, and trusting with youth’s 
innocent faith : a weak and small thing, after all, 
in a world so vast and cruel, a thing to be moulded 
by fate and tossed about by circumstances. Then 
to look back on a life so different from what hope 
and intention had purposed it should be! 

Thought, however, after a time brought them 
both back gradually to the present hour, yet seemed 


194 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


to flash with a sickening suddenness upon their 
long dream. What a quiet and sweet voice, though, 
was telling of a life that had felt and known 
much love! There was no pain in the voice, for 
that had died long ago; feeling had been strained 
to such a point that it had become dulled and 
numbed. A passive quiescence had taken the place 
of torture and pain, and Helena wondered and 
wondered, as she listened to this young woman’s 
story. “How is it that Fate so often proves too 
much for us?” 

In conclusion, Audrde, for Francois was no other 
than the girl Lucifer thought he had murdered, 
laid her hand in Helena’s lap and sighed: “And 
such as I am, Lucifer made me ” 

After all she was a woman, and Helena’s heart 
ached for her. It was some time after this, before 
either of them spoke again. It was Helena who 
broke the silence. 

“And now, Audr^e,” she said, “there is not one 
particle of love left in your heart for Lucifer?” 

“Not one particle, Helena ; for I loved to mad- 
ness once, but that love was slain; no power on 
earth or in heaven can awaken it again.” 

The night air blew in through the open window 
and whispered to Audrde: “Love is dead.” 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


195 


“It is strange, yes, very strange,” murmured 
Helena, “that Lucifer has never even for one mo- 
ment suspected you in the last two years you have 
traveled with him as his valet.” 

“Sometimes I have been in mortal terror that 
he would,” replied Audr^e, “but he never did ; then 
his mind is always drifting from one subject to 
another so rapidly, that it seems to me he never 
had time to consider me, or weigh any mysterious 
matter. Understanding him so well, I made my- 
self from the very first indispensable to him, by 
faithfully and adroitly catering to his every whim 
and eccentricity; and then he thought me dead 
so long ago it is not to be wondered at. No one 
knows that I live and am in this house to-nighr, 
but Lord Faunus Argyle; it was he who saved 
my life, Helena, and it was for him and him alone, 
I saved you from ruin and destruction. I have 
managed Lucifer in this, as in everything else 
since I have known him. At first I thought you 
came to him of your own free will, but I soon found 
out the contrary. By some slip of the tongue, I 
learned that you loved his brother. Lord F'aunus 
told all to me only a few hours ago; fortunate 
woman, may you be as happy as the days are 
long ” 


196 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


^^Then you have seen Lord Argyle?” cried He* 
lena, as she suddenly rose to her feet. 

^‘Yes, I have seen him,” said Audr^e, ^^but sit 
down again, Helena, and I will tell you how it 
all came about. It has been a long and tedious 
task, but I have accomplished it at last. It was 
only yesterday that Lucifer ventured into Paris, 
for the first time since you have been here. I fol- 
lowed unbeknown to him, and by chance I caught 
a glimpse of Lord Argyle hurrying along with 
the crowd in the streets of Paris. Lucifer could 
not have seen his brother, for I have not no- 
ticed any uneasiness on his part since his return 
from Paris, or heard him say anything about it, 
for of late he has gotten into the habit of telling 
me everything, and I would know if they had met. 
It took me only a second to catch up with my lord, 
and in a very few moments I told him everything : 
how to find you and how tired I was of the rdle 
I had assumed. I was back here in this old house, 
long before my imperious master. Why Lucifer 
ventured into Paris yesterday, disguised though 
he was, I cannot say. I fancy his love for the 
old, gay life of the great city is returning to him 
again. To-night, Helena, he means you harm, for 
this morning I overheard him say, just before 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


197 


he retired, which was close upon four o’clock, that 
before another sunset Helena Granville should 
yield or die; but you will neither yield nor die, 
for some one who loves you better than his life 
is at this very moment in this old house. He will 
save you and take you back to Sister Superior, 
whom I have heard you call so often when passing 
your door. I put Lucifer to sleep long before sun- 
set. I know he has not awakened yet. It is very 
strange, but Lord Argyle said he never dreamed 
of Lucifer’s bringing you here — here in this old 
house where he has committed some of the dark- 
est deeds of his life. All your other friends save 
he and Sister Superior believe you dead. I put 
Lucifer to sleep to-day with a strong opiate, for 
I knew Lord Argyle would come. I wanted to talk 
with him alone. Now he knows all, yes, all — and 
so do you.” 

Then Audr^e relapsed into silence. After a mo- 
ment or two, without saying a word (for her 
heart was too full to speak just then), Helena 
raised Audr^e’s hand to her lips and kissed it, 
but as she did so, they both heard a slight noise 
at the grated door as if some one was trying to 
get in. 


198 


PLAYED ON HEAETB. 


God! it is Lucifer,’’ whispered Helena. 
^^Where, oh ! where is Lord Faunus?” 

^‘Hush !” said Audr6e, “do not let him hear you, 
but go, go quickly to the little dressing room ad- 
joining this and I will meet him alone. I am, not 
afraid of him; he will think it is you, and before 
he finds out who it is, I will do something to sum- 
mon Lord Argyle — now go.” 

Helena vanished like a spirit from the room. 

“My God! this is too much,” Audr^e heard Lu- 
cifer say, as he struck a light very near her. “He- 
lena, what does this mean? It cannot be that you 
have fallen asleep and the wind that is coming 
through the open window has put out your light?” 

“No, no,” said a voice very low, not far from 
him, “I am all right. Why have you come here to- 
night, Lucifer?” 

“Why have I come here to-night? You will 
know very shortly,” he returned, with a little 
laugh. Then he lighted the lamp and placed it 
in the middle of the table. Audrde stood just 
where he could get a good view of her form, but 
not her face. She had covered that with her hands. 
Lucifer did not seem to notice this as he con- 
templated her and her elegant attire blending with 
her body. He lost himself in a reverie for a mo- 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


199 


raent, as his eyes rested on her white hands and 
beautifully moulded shoulders. 

^^Mon Dieu!” cried he under his breath, “how 
beautiful she is, how beautiful she is! But what 
in the name of Heaven has come over you, He- 
lena, to change your gown and put on one for ' 
all the world that looks like — ” here he paused, 
for just at that moment Audr6e moved and turned 
her head slightly around. But still he thought 
it was Helena, and with eyes ablaze with passion 
he glided up to her. Stooping down he kissed her 
hands, then her hair and neck. She was so very 
quiet that he thought she had finally made up her 
mind it was no use fighting against his mighty 
passion any longer. But when he heard her mur- 
mur under her breath when he kissed her 

“Ah, yes! Love is dead — ” his breath caught, 
and he turned even paler, if that could be. He 
stepped back from her for an instant, but it was 
only for an instant and then, blind with passion 
once more, he madly caught her in his arms and 
strained her with great violence to his breast. His 
teeth were chattering with emotions and his heart 
was beating with such force against Audr^e’s that 
she became alarmed and tried to call for help; but 
she could not — for her voice seemed to be entire- 


200 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


ly gone from her. She laid her head from weak- 
ness upon his shoulder — and while he was mur- 
muring, ^^my darling! my love! my own! at last!” 
Audree for the first time since she had known him 
felt her repugnance for him increase so swiftly 
and keenly that with great difficulty she restrained 
herself from choking him to death. She controlled 
herself, however, and said in a deep undertone: 

‘^Let me go, let me go, and do not touch me 
again ; leave me alone, I say, for my brain is burn- 
ing.” 

Just then the wind came in through the open 
window and blew out the light, and these two were 
left alone in darkness. His hold on her had loos- 
ened somewhat, but still he cried passionately: 

“Helena, do not ask me to let you alone, for I 
shall not, never again — ^^never again,” he repeated 
“I have sacrificed my life, my art, and everything 
else long enough for you ; now you shall not turn 
and crush the madness of my love at the very last 
moment. I have reached the limit of my patience 
and endurance.” 

For a second after this, everything was so still 
that they could hear nothing but the loud beating 
of their own hearts, then he murmured once more : 

“Helena, say that you love me and my happi- 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


201 


ness will be complete, for there is not one woman 
on the face of the earth that I love, or even one 
that I have ever loved as I do you. Say that you 
love me, and Heaven shall be ours.’^ 

When the last tones of his voice had died away, 
such a horrible laugh rang through the room, that 
it seemed for a time to paralyze his heart ; so star- 
tled was he by its wildness that he loosened his 
arms from her body, and quickly struck a light 
again. The room was bright once more, but Au- 
dr^e had wandered far away from him into the 
darkest corner, and stood with her back toward 
him ; after a second she glided to another corner of 
the room and unfastened the gilded chain that 
looped the curtains between the chamber and pri- 
vate parlor. He made no attempt to follow her, 
but when the rich purple folds fell behind her, 
hiding her entirely from his view, he sank down 
in the chair that had held the form of the one 
for whom he considered he had sacrificed his life 
and art. How many hours he sat there thinking, 
he never knew, but all the time through the open 
window he saw the moon shining upon the water ; 
and now and then he heard a sea gull, which 
made him inwardly shudder and grow cold. He 
thought of Helena and how strangely she appeared ; 


202 


TL~AYEV ON EE~ABT8, 


he did not know but her long confinement was 
turning her brain. 

^^Curious indeed/’ muttered Lucifer, ^^but I never 
saw her act as she has to,-night.” 

Suddenly he rose to his feet, and unclasping 
his arms from his chest, he groaned aloud, for a 
face had in his eyes risen to the surface of the 
water and above it; and all around it appeared 
to him that millions and millions of tiny spirits 
were frantically dancing just the same as on that 
night when he had destroyed the life and love 
of her who had loved him so passionately and 
well. 

wonder, I wonder,” he cried, ^fif like Helena 
I am going mad, too, but by the powers of Hell, 
if I do go mad, she shall come with me; together 
we will die.” 

His brain was fast turning now, for the sight 
of Audrde’s face once more lighted up his mem- 
ory with all the torture and suffering he had en- 
dured up to the time that Helena thoughtlessly 
threw her life into his hands. Tossing his arms 
into the air, he cried: 

^‘By Heavens! I am tired of this; tired of the 
constant appearance of the spirit of Audrde or 
whatever it is. It has followed me now for two 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


203 


long years untiringly and unceasingly. Why did 
not those greedy waves banish the memory of her 
from my mind? Oh, Faunus, Faunus!” cried he, 
momentarily insane, ^‘tell me what mean those tiny 
bits of brilliant lights that from out of that black 
cloud have suddenly appeared to me. They are danc- 
ing in the sky, and upon the water, and among the 
rocks, and everywhere. Oh, tell me, Faunus, what 
they are.” Again that wild laugh rang through 
the room and once more Lucifer cried : ^^Tell me, 
Faunus, what they are.” 

The grated door was pushed quickly ajar, and 
a voice said: 

^^Ay, ay, Lucifer, they are nothing but will-o’- 
the-wisps^ — a bad omen, though — a bad omen.” 

This answer was given by Lord Faunus Argyle 
in the same voice and in the same tone as on that 
night when the Almighty chronicled the daring 
deed of one of his human creatures. 


204 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


CHAPTEE XXIL 
Peace no more. Adieu 

So prolonged and death-like was the silence 
after Lord Fannus Argyle ceased speaking that 
the two women who stood just inside the purple 
hangings, in fear lest something awful had hap- 
pened, slightly parted them and looked into the 
magnificent room that had been Helena’s prison 
for so long. Lucifer had risen from his chair 
after Lord Faunus had entered. 

The brothers now stood facing each other with 
a look in their eyes which plainly read: ^^Life for 
a Life.” Both Helena and Audr^e clutched the 
purple folds and their teeth chattered with horror 
when they saw Lucifer’s eyes glittering with an 
unnatural and ominous brilliancy. 

The terrible tension of many moments of silence, 
anger, and torture, at last gave way. Suddenly 
a storm of passionate words ensued between these 


PLAYED ON DEABTS. 


205 

two men, such as neither of the young women had 
ever heard before. Words came to their ears in 
that time that nearly turned their hearts to stone. 
They bent their heads very low and thought a 
while; one had sacrificed honor and all life holds 
sacred, for a cold, shallow, would-be murderer and 
a denouncer of the faithfulness and virtue of 
woman. The other had by a curious mischance 
been thrown into the lion’s mouth and had suf- 
fered as keenly for her thoughtlessness as Audr^e 
had for her actual deeds, and now each of them 
were facing a sorrow terrible in its severity — each 
in a different way. 

As in a dream they heard Lord Faunus say : 

^^Oh, Lucifer, Lucifer! Coward that you are, 
to drag the name of Helena Granville through 
the gutter and break the doting heart of so noble 
a mother as hers. It is well,” Lord Argyle con- 
tinued, “that both our parents passed away be- 
fore ” 

“Hold!” interrupted Lucifer, “let our parents 
rest in peace and tell me who is Helena’s mother?” 

Lord Argyle ran his fingers through his hair 
before he said in careful tones : 

“The Sister Superior at St. Agnes Convent.” 

“Sister Superior at St. Agnes Convent!” Luci- 


^06 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


fer repeated under his breath. ^^Ye Gods! what 
in the name of heaven will come to me next?’’ and 
his head fell heavily forward and rested for an 
instant on his chest. Helena could brook no more, 
and with a piercing shriek fell forward through 
the now widely parted curtains, almost at the feet 
of Lord Faunus Argyle. Quickly Lucifer raised 
his head and his hand flew to his breast; from an 
inside pocket in his coat he quickly pulled a pis- 
tol ; stooping down, he slowly brought it on a levet 
with Helena’s temple. Before, however, he had 
time to press the trigger. Lord Faunus had espied 
the silver mounting on the weapon as it spitefully 
flashed in the light, and sprang upon his brother 
as a panther does upon its prey, striking up the 
hand that held the pistol in time to save the wom- 
an he loved better than his own life. A loud re- 
port followed. The weapon fell from the dastard’s 
hand. Infuriated by Helena’s misery and help- 
lessness and by Lucifer’s murderous intentions, 
Lord Faunus seized him around the neck ere he 
had time to think. 

Both men fought fiercely over the insensible 
form of the woman whom fate had dealt with so 
heartlessly. These two had come of a flinty, al- 
though generally loyal race, and while Lucifer had 


FLAYED ON HEARTS. 


marred and dragged in the mire beyond reprieve 
the pride of his noble name, there still dwelt in 
his nature a certain amount of persistency that 
men marveled at, and of daring recklessness that 
was surprising in the extreme. He fought long 
and well, but at last Lord Faunus dealt the con- 
quering blow. Lucifer fell like one dead upon the 
floor. Lord Faunus wiped his forehead, where the 
perspiration stood in heavy drops, and for a mo- 
ment watched the blood flow from Lucifer^s lips. 
Neither of them in all their lives had feigned in 
serious matters what they did not feel, and Lord 
Faunus was far too honest to even allow one pang 
of remorse for what he had done to stir in his 
heart. He was one who never condoned wrongs 
or pardoned treachery. 

However, he had not killed his brother, and 
this he discovered a moment or two later, when 
Lucifer’s eyes slowly unclosed and gazed up into 
his lordship’s face. From them shot a dull, red- 
dish fire, which closely resembled that of a tiger 
thirsting for blood. The white heat of the Argyles 
settled on his face. Wiping the drops of blood 
from his lips, he rose once more to his feet. But, 
alas! Lucifer Argyle’s strength was something of 
the past. He tottered and his courage failed him. 


208 


PLAYED ON EEAIITS. 


He tried to speak, but just then his tongue utterly 
refused to move. Tottering closer up to Helena’s 
prostrate form he gazed down upon her. Her face, 
so white and drawn, for an instant stirred all his 
old recollections of love and tenderness for her. 
But when he tried to touch only the hem of her 
shabby garment. Lord Faunus warned him with an 
imperious gesture of his hand that it would not be 
well to do even that, and Lucifer, unable longer to 
cope with his lordship, turned and dragged him- 
self toward the door, closed it, then rang a bell to 
summon one of his servants. 

^Whom do you want?” inquired Lord Faunus. 

‘‘Frangois,” said Lucifer, without turning his 
head. “There are many things I wish to say to 
him.” 

“Francois,” called Lord Faunus, in gentle tones, 
“come here ; Lucifer wants you.” 

Once more Audr^e glided into the room, and 
while Lord Argyle stooped and lifted Helena’s 
senseless body in his arms and placed her on a 
divan, he heard Lucifer say : 

“My God, have mercy !” 

Audr^e had removed a dark wig from her head, 
and stood quietly smiling before him. There was no 
mistaking her now. The light shone on the beautiful 


PLAYED ON HEAHTB. 


209 


hair, which lent a radiance to her features. ^^Fran- 
gois,” Lucifer murmured, with bloodless lips. 

“Prangois no longer,” she returned, as a strange 
pallor overspread her face. 

Lucifer stretched out his hand and cried : 

“Come closer, woman, I want to make sure I am 
not looking on a spirit.” 

“I am no spirit, Lucifer,” Audrde said, as she 
moved close up to his side and allowed him, with- 
out one word passing her lips, to feel her hair, face 
and hands. After he had made sure that she was 
living and in the flesh, his hand dropped helplessly 
to his side, and he stood quite still for some time, 
looking into the face of the woman he supposed he 
had murdered. He knew her now, and the white 
dress glared at him with such familiarity that it 
sickened his very soul. At last he hid his face in his 
hands and sank down into the gold mounted chair 
by the table, where Helena had rested her weary 
body for so long. 

‘ Helena by this time was fast showing signs of 
returning life. After a few more moments, with 
Lord Faunus’ assistance, she was able to stand on 
her feet, but as he led her toward the middle of the 
room she became so dazed and bewildered as to bo 
unable to utter a word. His arm was thrown around 


210 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


her, and she stood leaning heavily against him. 
Lucifer had not yet lifted his head out of his hands. 
For a long time it was very still in the room. There 
were no words spoken. Words just at this time 
from any of them would have been useless when 
life had come to such a sudden pause with them 
all. The whole complex affair was at a standstill. 
Lucifer was thrown into a pit of darkness and op- 
pression. The w^hole house seemed to be whirling 
like mad around him ; the very stillness of the room 
made him feel more the confusion that was fast un- 
settling his brain. Several times he stirred, but it 
seemed impossible for him to rise from his chair. 

A half hour passed in this way, when at last, as 
he heard the distant grumbling of the sea, he started 
to his feet with new strength and walked toward 
the grated door, thinking that before he could reach 
it he would die of anguish. No one spoke to him as 
he went. Neither did he once look around till the 
grated door closed behind him. Then he saw Lord 
Faunus bend and imprint a kiss upon Helena’s 
brow. She raised her eyes to him and in their glori- 
ous dark depths Lucifer read the story of a love 
that he would have given worlds to possess. Au- 
dr^e stood not far from them, looking indeed more 
like a spirit than a mortal. In her large eyeS; that 


TLAYBD ON HEARTS. 


m 

were raised to the ceiling, there was a hopeless 
glare, which neither touched Luicfer’s heart nor 
affected him in any way. He had believed her so 
long dead that when she dropped into his life again 
and under such circumstances she seemed more 
like a total stranger for whom he had not a par- 
ticle of feeling. All love in his heart for her had 
died out long ago. Still, these two young women 
were the only ones who had ever held his affection 
for any length of time, and now he saw Lord 
Faunus standing between them, with his whole face 
all aglow with love and kindness, and a protective 
air which was quite new to Lucifer. An immense 
tumult began to stir his whole being. Incoherent 
[thoughts and images began to devour his brain, 
and his heart shriveled with a thousand cruel punc- 
tures. The faces in the room faded away from him, 
and it was so still all around him that he could 
hear nothing but the beating of his own heart. Then 
the lights seemed to grow dim, and he was left alone 
in space, nothingness and gloom. 

With a singular laugh he could not repress he 
turned from the grated door and walked away like 
one in a dream, away from the room where in years 
gone by he had spent unnumbered hours of perfect 
bliss. 


212 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


Audrde thought of all this, too, as she saw Luci- 
fer’s form vanish in the darkness. 

Time changes everything. Yes, it is time that 
bears us remorselessly on, never back to the old and 
pleasant times, but always on and on, to lose itself 
at last in the eternal unknown, whether for better, 
whether for worse, who shall venture to say? 


FLAYED ON HEARTS, 


213 


CHAPTER XXIII. 

^^Life is a shuttle/’ 

To the solitude and darkness of his studio in the 
old house Lucifer fled for relief as into some shelter- 
ing arms. No one but Audrde had ever been per- 
mitted to penetrate into the seclusion of this spot. 
It was a long, low room at the top of the house, 
with two small, narrow windows so heavily draped 
that the sunshine and sweet, pure air of the outside 
world never entered. In one corner stood an old 
reading desk, on which were a few choice books. 
Upon a rug crossing the floor from wall to wall 
was a wooden bench and a curious little table in- 
laid with silver and pearl, upon which a dozen or 
more wax candles stood. This room, which looked 
like a prison cell, Lucifer called his studio, although 
he had never taken a brush in his hand or painted 
a picture in it. He had spent unnumbered hours 
within its walls, thinking of the past and dreaming 


214 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


of a glorious future that was fated never to be 
his. The candles were lighted now, and he was waji- 
dering to and fro like a prisoner in his cell. His 
face, sharpened by physical as well as mental 
agony, was piteous to behold. His lips were rigid 
and gray, but his eyes shone with a light that was 
strange and weird, yet fascinating in its splendor. 

At last something like a magnet drew him nearer 
to a crimson curtain that hung against the wall. 
Beaching out his hands he grasped the silken folds 
like a madman and tore them from the silver rings. 
Once more the pictures of ^^Life” and ^^Death” con- 
fronted him. He gazed and gazed, casting his eyes 
in despair and agony from one to the other till half 
unwittingly a voice within him caused him to mum- 
ble: 

‘^Look at me now if you will, Audr^e, and say, 
‘At last, at last, Lucifer Argyle, like many another 
fool, has been caught in his own snare P ” Bpt the 
stern lines of his ghastly face unbent for a second 
as he gazed upon Helena’s features and form. 
Across the flashing streaks of memory came her 
smile, so sweet and gentle that for a moment it 
made his eyes actually All with burning tears. 
Folding his hands over his heart, as if in pain, he 
sank down on his knees, crying : 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


215 


^^Helena! Helena! I liave loved you long and 
well, but it is all over now.” 

Then he bowed his head, shaking with a storm 
of passionate weeping that nearly rent his frame in 
twain. 

Another day was breaking, but no light, however 
dim, penetrated into this gloomy spot to warn him 
of its waking. Indeed, it mattered but little to 
Lucifer whether it was morning or night. He had 
done his worst, and now, locked away from all 
humanity, and crouching on the floor before the 
pictures of “Life” and “Death,” devoured by re- 
gret, and plunged into a fiercer purgatory than that 
to which any mortal, it seemed to him, had been con- 
demned. 

At last he ceased to struggle with torture. Kising 
to his feet he walked with all the strength he could 
command deliberately up to the little table, and 
found in one of the drawers a costly silver handled 
dagger, and when the blue flash of the weapon came 
between him and the lights he smiled like a demon 
and laughed like a maniac. A change, oh! such a 
change came over his face. As he went and stood 
once more before his two wonderful paintings that 
would never be given to the world, with a horrible 
groan he firmly grasped the deadly weapon in one 


216 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


hand and thrust it with a mighty gash into the face 
of ^^Death.” As he did so a wild uncanny laugh 
rang through the studio. 

He did not look around, for he knew all too well 
who was laughing at him now, but he kept right on 
with his work. It did not take him long to deface 
the beauty of these two pictures, and before an- 
other half hour had passed they lay at his feet upon 
the floor, torn into a thousand shreds! But what 
meant that light that leaped into his eyes after he 
had destroyed beyond recognition the work of his 
brain and hands? An unmistakable desire to end a 
life that had been so full of crime and follies. But 
who was she that followed every step he took, laugh- 
ing and repeating, over and over : 

‘^The days will come, and the days will go, but 
you will paint no more pictures in them. Your 
work in this line is done forever, for all others 
drawn after these would sink away like the pale- 
ness of the moon before the brightness of the sun. 
Your life, monsieur, is imbedded in these two pic- 
tures; for look at ‘Death,’ she will not give you 
back your free heart again to do with as you like. 
She will follow ‘Life,’ and ‘Life’ will uncon- 
sciously call forth the love and worship you should 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


217 


have given to the one who lost all for you, and who 
lies so still upon the mighty sea.” 

“This is indeed horrible,” muttered Lucifer un- 
der his breath. Then he said aloud : 

“Audrde, tell me, why did you follow me here?” 

“Why did I follow you here? I cannot say, unless 
it was to die with you.” 

“To die with me!” he cried, as he dragged his 
now almost exhausted body close up to her side, and 
once more she saw that murderous light shine in his 
eyes as he looked into her face. 

“You have come to die with me!” he muttered, 
as he seized her roughly by the arm. “Then you 
shall, by God, and not even my brother can save 
you now!” 

“No, no ; not even your brother can save me now,” 
she cried, as she sprang quickly and like a leopard 
upon him. Before he knew what she was doing she 
had snatched the dagger from his hand, raised it 
above her head and laughed at him once more. 
Then she repeated these lines, while he crouched at 
her side: 

“To-morrow?^ and to-morrow^ and to-morromy 
Creeps in this pretty pace from day to day 
To the last syllable of recorded time; 


218 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


And all our yesterdays have lighted fools 

The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candles! 

Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player. 

That struts and frets his hour upon the stage 
And then is heard no more : it is a tale 
Told by an idiot full of sound and fury 
Signifying nothing.” 

^^Say, Lucifer,” she cried, ^^have we not found 
this to be true?” 

He was too terrified to answer ; he could only gaze 
in dumb surprise up into her eyes. Such madness 
of revenge he had never seen written on any wom- 
an’s face before. Her features grew dark, and 
darker with every second, and with one hand she 
clutched her heart, while her laugh, now torn by 
pain, rang through the studio for the last time: 
an agonizing groan followed, with these words: 

“It is fatal, it is fatal.” 

“What is fatal?” Lucifer inquired in trembling 
tones, as he noticed her colorless lips and intense 
suffering. ' 

“Nothing, nothing,” she said, “only a deadly 
draught of poison, I took just before coming in 
here, but it is fast doing its work.” 

Then she trembled and shook, and would have 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


219 


fallen had she not caught the back of a chair for 
support; after this was she silent, then her eyes 
grew almost as black as midnight and, maddened 
with memory and pain, she suddenly and with- 
out warning threw one arm around Lucifer’s neck. 
Bending him like a reed in a storm, she threw him 
to the floor with such violence that he was unable 
to move. Then placing her right knee upon his body 
to hold him down even more securely, she raised the 
dagger once more above her head. He was speech- 
less before her mighty revenge, and when he saw 
her clutch the dagger with unusual strength one 
thought went through his mind: 

^^My^God! and this is all?” 

Her hand came swiftly down, and she thrust 
the deadly weapon straight into his heart. 

As his life blood spurted out, she flung the dag- 
ger far away from her, then gave one long, hid- 
eous scream, which brought the two old Spanish 
servants quickly to the top of the house. When 
they saw what Audr^e had done, they fled in ter- 
ror down the stairs and away from the old house 
forever. 

When Audrde saw Lucifer’s eyes close in death, 
she rose to her feet again. Throwing her arms 
into the air, she cried : 


220 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


^^Lucifer, my treacherous, false lover, is dead.” 
Then she fell backward, groaning in her last 
agony. The candles flickered on for a few hours 
longer, then went out, leaving these two bodies 
alone, to grow cold and stiff midst darkness and 
gloom. 

^^Life to the last like hardened felons lies 
Nor owns itself a cheat , till it expires. 

Its little joys go out one by one 

And leawes poor man at length in perfect night,^' 


FLAYED ON HEARTS. 


221 


CHAPTER XXIV. 

^^Thy yesterday is thy past, 

Thy to-day is the future, 

Thy to-morrow is a secretJ^ 

The day was far spent when Helena recovered 
in some degree from the shock of finding herself 
actually alive after all that had passed and in the 
presence of Lord Argyle once more. She endeav- 
ored to collect her faculties, but when she tried 
to speak to him of her past he stopped her, for 
he had heard it all from Audr^e — with this wise 
but solemn admonition: 

^‘Helena, 


^^Thy yesterday is thy past. 

Thy to-day is the future 
Thy to-morrow is a secret/’ 

Then he smiled, a smile so full of sympathy, love, 
and goodness that it made her feel more deeply 


m 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


the humiliating and seemingly disgraceful circum- 
stances under which he had found her. She felt 
as though a hand of ice clutched her heart. 

A few hours later she made preparations for 
a journey across the water. It hardly seemed pos- 
sible to her that she was going to leave this old 
house, and with Lord Argyle, too. He was going 
to take her back to Canada, and to St. Agnes Con- 
vent again, where a mother in her loving kindness 
was waiting for her, anxiously waiting to forgive 
her, no matter what wrong she had done, anxiously 
waiting to tell her the story of her life ! How glad 
she felt when she thought of how she could go back 
and say that with all her mistakes and misfortunes, 
she had stood bravely upright against temptation, 
pain, and injustice. 

The chimes in the tower of the old house were 
playing in their mournfullest, yet sweetest strains, 
when Lord Argyle and Helena left the place for- 
ever. They both had searched in all the rooms for 
Lucifer and Audr^e, but could not find them : know- 
ing nothing of, nor how to reach, the studio, they 
came to the conclusion that the luckless pair had 
fied to parts unknown. They had prayed, begged 
and beseeched Audr^e to go with them, but her an- 
swer had been: ^^No,” and so they let her go alone 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


m 


her own way, little dreaming of what her fate 
would be. In all the days that Lord Argyle and 
Helena lived, never after that night did the name 
of Lucifer Argyle pass their lips, and never after 
that night did any one ever again step into the 
dark, gloomy hall of the old house, or into the 
magnificent room where Audr^e had spent the hap- 
piest moments of her life, and Helena one year 
of the darkest misery. 

It was a night, late in November. All around 
St. Agnes Convent a cold north wind was scurry- 
ing. The penetrating chill of the night air, per- 
haps also the lateness of the hour, aroused Sister 
Superior from a profound trance. Striking a light 
over the dressing table, she read and reread a let- 
ter that she had received only a few hours before, 
a letter that made her heart leap, then again al- 
most cease beating. But the seed the good Sister 
had sown in faith and guarded by prayer, had 
stirred, ripened, and now she was exulting in the 
fruit of perfect patience. Carefully, she placed 
the letter inside a drawer, and said as she lowered 
the light: 

^‘It does not seem possible that I shall see He- 
lena before another dawn breaks.” 


224 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


Then she went and wrapped herself in a beau- 
tiful, trailing, gray, silken gown, and lowered the 
light still more; she glided to the window and 
gazed out into the night. How long she stood there 
thinking and listening to the dreary wind, she 
never knew. 

It must have been long, long past midnight, when 
one of the Sisters of the convent gently tapped 
her on the shoulder. She turned quickly around 
and looked up into a face so white, and eyes so 
bright, that for a moment she was startled. Seiz- 
ing the woman by the arm, she cried : 

^ Why, Sister Eleanor, something has happened ! 
Tell me what it is. It cannot be possible that Hele- 
na is here already?” 

‘^Hush!” Sister Eleanor whispered in her ear, 
^^and calmly listen while I tell you. I was on 
watch to-night. I let Helena (bless her dear heart !) 
in through the convent gate just as the old clock in 
the chapel tower struck midnight. So cheer up, good 
Sister Superior, and meet her with eyes unmoist- 
ened by tears, so that she may feel a warm wel- 
come; for the night is very cold and the child is 
tired and ” 

^'But she did not come to the gate alone, did 
she?” enquired the Sister. 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


225 


there was a tall man with her, and he 
was very handsome and spoke in a voice that went 
straight to my heart, and sorry, indeed, was I, when 
I closed the gate against him. But I heard him 
promise Helena that he would call at the convent 
when you sent for him. No one knows that He- 
lena is here but you and I. All is safe and weli, 
Sister Superior ; now I leave you, having explained 
this unseasonable visit.” 

^^Stay yet a moment longer. Sister Eleanor, while 
I thank you for the good news you have brought 
me. Now I ask you to go and kindly bring He- 
lena to me.” 

^^There is no need of that.” 

Hardly before the tones of Sister Eleanor’s voice 
had died away. Sister Superior’s arms were firmly 
clasped around the form of the one whom she had 
watched for so long. When the word “mother,” how- 
ever, fell from Helena’s lips, and she bent upon 
her knees before her, the Sister’s brain began to 
grow dizzy. The light seemed to go out; all became 
so dark to her that she grew frightened and tried 
to cry: “My child, my child!” but the shock of 
meeting Helena again, after so many weary months 
of waiting, was too much for her nervous system. 


^26 


PLAYED ON BEAUTS. 


and her lips refused to move. For the first time 
in all the Sister’s life she sank in a perfectly un- 
conscious state, down on the floor, at Helena’s 
side. 


PLAYED on EEAULS, 


227 


CHAPTER XXV. 

^^Thou Tcnowest ’tis common all that lives must die 
Passing through nature, to EternityP 

One week had passed since Helena’s return to 
the convent, and ah ! what a change that one week 
had wrought in both mother and daughter ! 
Every one of the sisters, among themselves, said 
that Sister Superior did not look well, and was 
not long for this world. Helena’s face was no 
longer pale and haggard. It had grown bright, 
fair and beautiful once more. Not a trace re- 
mained of the old intense suffering that Lucifer 
in his selfishness and iron heartedness, had for 
one long year carved on her features. No word 
of reproach had passed the Sister’s lips for Hele- 
na’s thoughtlessness. She had heard the sad story 
from beginning to end and had believed every word 
of it. She knew her daughter was as pure as on 
the day she left St. Agnes Convent to go to Lind- 


228 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


hurst. The Sister rejoiced in the fact that ^Ta- 
tience and virtue have their own reward.” 

When the Sister thought, however, of how those 
dark hours had been guarded by Audrde and how 
the latter had worked to save Helena, her heart 
swelled with love and great pity for the unfor- 
tunate woman. How she wished she could find 
her and bring her on to St. Agnes Convent, and 
shield her from this cold, cruel world and teach 
her that there is only One in whom we can put 
perfect trust! 

It was some three weeks after Helena’s return 
to the convent, that one morning the sun shone 
brightly in at Sister Superior’s window. Its crim- 
son light gleamed upon her face white as snow 
and upon hands now lying idle by her sides. Her 
body lay still upon the downy bed; her voice was 
growing fainter and fainter ; a mist was fast gath- 
ering over her eyes. Death was fast claiming Sis- 
ter Superior for its own. 

<^My child,” she said, have long ago outlived 
all sentiment. Yet I know the young heart with 
its high aspirations and ardent hope. I was young 
once even like you, Helena, and no earthly being 
knows or ever will know the trials I was called 
upon to bear in my youth. That was more than 


FLAYED ON BEARTS. 


229 


twenty years ago. I lived away off in Italy, wliere 
I had a father and mother and a beautiful home. 
It would take me too long, dear, to tell you of the 
happiness I experienced in the few years of my 
wedded life. Suffice it to say that your father, 
Leighton Granville, gave me in the presence of 
my parents a husband^s lawful kiss, at that time 
also promised them that he would love and pro- 
tect me all his life. Two years after we were 
married you were born. Somehow, I can never tell 
how it happened. When you were only a few 
months old, he forgot his devotion. Tiring of his 
wife and baby he left Italy, beautiful Italy, and 
fled to America.. I stayed on in Italy with my 
parents for ten years. One morning, I remember 
it well, I took you by the hand, bade my aged pa- 
rents good-bye, and mid tears and heart breaking 
cries, left our old home forever.” 

Here the Sister’s voice faltered. Helena bent 
still lower over her and held her breath to listen 
for the coming words : 

“Mother, mother,” she cried at last, no longer 
able to control her distress, “speak to me again, 
only once again and tell me where you found my 
father?” 

The Sister faintly sighed and raised her eyes to 


230 


TLAYED ON HEARTS, 


Helena’s face with a look in them that she never 
forgot to her dying day. Then she said almost 
in a whisper : 

found him in America, child, in a new home 
and with a young wife. I did not claim my right 
at that time as I should have done, for I was so 
overwhelmed with surprise and contempt. All I 
thought of was to get away from the sight of him 
and to some place where I should never see his 
face gain. So you and I wandered away up here 
in Canada. It was a cold, bitter, winter’s night, I 
remember, that we sought shelter within these con- 
vent walls. I thought then that nature would 
never again repair such ravages, for my heart was 
torn and bleeding with angilish. The Sisters here 
at St. Agnes were good to us, Helena, and they 
carefully watched over you while they tendered 
me every attention through a long and severe ill- 
ness. In time health returned to me. When I rose 
from my bed once more, I firmly resolved to bury 
my past forever, renounce this world and devote 
myself to God and Church. After putting these 
resolutions into actual activity, I became more 
contented. I sat down one day and wrote Leigh- 
ton Granville a long letter. I told him what I had 
done, and I asked him with all the sincerity of 


PLAYED ON HEARTS, 


231 


a loving heart not to forget his child in the years 
to come. I did not hear from him till just before 
he died, then he wrote me a letter full of tears 
and regrets, but it was too late. The seed had been 
sown, many a harvest moon had come and gone 
since then, and not a flavor even of the sweet, young 
fruit was left. All was barren where once there 
had been a glorious growth of love and trust. He 
also wrote to you. Then we went to Paris. But 
you know the rest; there is no need of our going 
over it again. There is one thing I wish to say 
to you, however, before I go, child. Your father 
on his dying bed extracted a promise from you, 
which I now fully realize would be an iniquity 
to keep, for you are not like me, Helena. To shut 
you away from the world the rest of your days 
would only shorten a life too precious to hide. Take 
your great fortune, Helena, go to a new land, and 
spend it freely on the poor; lend your good heart 
and counsel in lifting up and saving the fallen ones 
of earth.” 

^Tf I could only And Audrde, mother, I would 
give her half of my fortune,” cried Helena, in the 
great goodness of her heart. 

“Ah! my dear child,-” returned the Sister, with 
a faint smile, “I shall see Audr^e long before 


232 


PLAYED ON HEARTS. 


you, for something tells me she has passed away. 
Yea, that she had passed away even before you 
and Lord Argyle left the shores of France. Now 
bend your ear still closer, child. This time it is 
Lord Faunus Argyle who asks for your hand in 
marriage. It is my very last wish upon earth, dar- 
ling, that you surrender your life into his keeping. 
It was he who brought you safely back to me. I 
think him noble and true and he loves you very 
dearly.’^ 

These were the last words the gentle Sister ever 
spoke, although she heard Helena say before she 
closed her eyes: 

“Yes, mother, it shall be as you wish.” 

Then Helena’s voice failed her; her heart was 
well nigh to breaking when she saw a change, 
strangely beautiful, coming over the gentle Sis- 
ter’s face. Just for one second’s space her eye- 
lids quivered, then closed. 

Sister Superior had entered into her long rest. 


FLAYED ON HEARTS, 


233 


CHAPTER XXVI. 

^^Now what my love is 
Proof hath made you ImowP 

Ten years had elapsed since Lord F'annus Ar- 
gyle had taken a little woman’s hand in his and 
walked in the starlit dawn of a November day, to 
a church within sight of the convent buildings. 
Pale and trembling, but loving and happy, she 
stood by his side in front of the altar. Sister 
Eleanor was their only witness. In all the years 
of her life after that hour she never forgot the tears 
that fell upon her folded hands, or how her kind, 
sympathetic heart throbbed while she listened to 
the solemn words of the marriage service, the in- 
terchange of vows and the benediction; and how 
long she remembered how still it was in the little 
church, while priestly hands were laid upon two 
bowed beards. Then she saw them go out into 
the world once more, and she bent her head and 


234 


PLAYED ON EEABTS. 


softly murmured as they vanished from her sight 
forever : 

^^Verily. Verily! There be three things. Yea, 
four which I know not: The way of an eagle in 
the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the 
way of a ship in the midst of the sea ; and the way 
of a man with a maid.” 

When the rising sun greeted the newly made 
husband and wife, they were a long way from Can- 
ada, speeding onward toward a land in the far 
East, which they had chosen for their home. 

The years had brought great happiness to them 
both — happiness born of bitter experience and pa- 
tience. The wistful yearning look that was some- 
times seen in Lady Argyle’s face, a reflection of 
that strange blending of thought and sadness, made 
her more beautiful in her husband’s eyes. Her 
past was almost forgotten by him. He saw her 
as others did in that strange land — a woman whose 
beauty was marvelous, whose heart and hand were 
ever ready and willing to help the poor and weak 
and unfortunate, when all humanity had turned 
its back upon them. She loved her husband with 
a great love — love given to one tried and not 
found wanting. In this far Eastern land, she was 
blest and more than happy in the strength of his 


FLAYED ON HEARTS, 


235 


great devotion. Now and then a wave would pass 
over her mind of that strange lorve of the artist, 
then it would slip into space so vaguely that it 
seemed as the years went by, more like a dream 
than anything else. 

In the old, deserted, gray stone house by the sea 
in France, lay the mouldering bones that were fast 
crumbling away into dust of the once wonderful- 
ly gifted artist, and of the once beautiful Audrde 
Lanamoor. Now only skeletons remain to tell the 
story that once upon a time flesh covered these 
bones, and that the blood of life flowed freely 
through the veins, and from the lips of the wonder- 
fully gifted artist sounds at times sweet and gen- 
tle, that women loved so well, issued from a por- 
tion of this hideous mass of bones and corruption. 

Think you, friends, who have had the patience 
to tarry with me through this tale, that this ever 
had a soul? 

If so, where has it gone? Who can tell? 


THE END. 


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